Saturday, March 8th, 4:00 p.m. (et).

FACTS & STATS: Site: A.J. Palumbo Center (6,200) -- Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Television: FSN Pittsburgh. Home Record: Saint Louis 11-5, Duquesne 10-4. Away Record: Saint Louis 3-8, Duquesne 5-8. Neutral Record: Saint Louis 2-0, Duquesne 1-0. Conference Record: Saint Louis 7-8, Duquesne 6-9. Series Record: Duquesne leads, 4-2.

GAME NOTES: The Saint Louis Billikens wrap up their Atlantic 10 Conference schedule on the road this afternoon against the Duquesne Dukes. Saint Louis has been idle since last Saturday's 70-50 loss to St. Bonaventure. In what was their final home game of the season, the Billikens allowed the Bonnies to notch their first road victory of the year -- in blowout fashion, nonetheless. Now, Saint Louis must try to pick up the pieces, as it is one of five teams within a game of each other in the middle of the A-10 standings. Duquesne enters the game hoping to snap a five-game skid. The Dukes fell at Temple on Wednesday night, 90-85. Still, George Washington's loss at Charlotte on Thursday meant the Dukes locked up a spot in the A-10 Tournament. Duquesne has a 4-2 edge in the all-time series with Saint Louis, although the Billikens won by a 78-77 final in the opening round of last year's conference tourney.

Simply stated, Saint Louis turned in an abysmal effort in its final home game last weekend. Against St. Bonaventure, the Billikens shot just 34.7 percent from the field. The only player to reach double figures was reserve Kevin Lisch, who tallied 19 points in a losing effort. It was the first time Lisch came off the bench all season, though he still leads the team in scoring with his 14.6 ppg. He is a 39.3 percent shooter from the perimeter, and an 81- percent shooter from the foul line. Lisch is complemented by Tommie Liddell, who is averaging 12.2 ppg.

The Dukes were without leading scorer Shawn James (13.2 ppg) against Temple. He recently suffered a torn labrum in his right shoulder, and his status is questionable for this game. Should James be sidelined again, there are a number of players capable of picking up the slack. In the forefront are Kojo Mensah (12.6 ppg) and Kieron Achara (11 ppg), while three other Dukes are averaging nine ppg. Reggie Jackson stepped up with a career-high 25 points against Temple, while Achara knocked down 5-of-6 three-pointers and finished with 24 points. Mensah and fellow reserve Bill Clark scored 14 and 13 points, respectively.

Neither team has been playing particularly well lately, but the Billikens' 20- point home loss to St. Bonaventure has to be particularly worrisome. On the flip side, the Dukes may be playing with a shot of adrenaline since clinching a spot in the conference tourney.

Predicted Outcome

Duquesne 81, Saint Louis 77