SLU loses first of two games in Philly, 77-63 to Saint Joseph's

PHILADELPHIA -- DeAndre' Bembry scored 27 points with eight rebounds and six assists to lead Saint Joseph's over Saint Louis 77-63 on Sunday and lift the Hawks back into a first-place tie in the Atlantic 10.

The Hawks (24-5, 13-3) have won six of their last seven games and 13 of 15 as they rejoined VCU in first place after the Rams won Saturday. The Hawks' 24-5 record is the best since the 27-1 team of 2003-04.

Bembry was 11 of 16 from the field and Isaiah Miles was 6 of 11 with 18 points.

Jermaine Bishop scored 15 points and Mike Crawford added 14 for the Billikens (10-18, 5-11).

Miles put the Hawks up for good, 49-47, with a layup at 12:21 of the second half. A Bembry basket extended the lead to 12 with 1:56 left and his emphatic, reverse dunk made it 14 with 54 seconds remaining.

The Blues' next game also is in Philadelphia, Wednesday against La Salle.