GAME NOTES: The Saint Louis Billikens try to kick off the new calendar year on a positive note, as they clash with the George Washington Colonials in an Atlantic 10 Conference battle in the nation's capital.

The Billikens head into action on Tuesday night after losing two straight outings. The squad finished up a six-game homestand by bowing to Vanderbilt on New Year's Eve by a score of 70-55, and then coming up short in the conference opener versus Rhode Island three days later, 65-53.

As for the Colonials, they are hoping to stay undefeated at the Smith Center when they take the floor against Saint Louis, sporting an unblemished 5-0 mark in their own building. But more than that, the Colonials have won six straight at home and 20 of the last 21 decisions in the facility, with the five victories this season coming by an average of 26.6 ppg.

George Washington is enjoying a five-game win streak overall currently, thanks to a 64-60 win over Saint Joseph's in Philadelphia on Saturday.

With respect to the all-time series between the programs, the Billikens own a 6-5 advantage thanks to three straight victories in as many years over the Colonials. Last season, Saint Louis delivered a 66-59 win at home.

The Billikens led by as many as eight points in the first half against the Rams, but that advantage failed to stand up in what turned into a 12-point setback for Saint Louis at home last week. Milik Yarbrough tried to keep the hosts in the mix with 19 points and eight rebounds, but he fouled out before the outcome. Ash Yacoubou and Mike Crawford pitched in with 11 and 10 points, respectively for a program that shot only 2-of-12 behind the 3-point line and turned the ball over 21 times.

Although he did not score in double figures the last time out, Austin McBroon is still the top scorer for the Billikens with his 10.8 ppg, stemming from an impressive 49.2 percent accuracy beyond the arc, which is better than his shooting from the floor overall (.408). McBroom is the only player in double figures for a squad that is generating 60.6 ppg, while giving up 62.4 ppg.

The Colonials left no doubt when they confronted Saint Joseph's over the weekend at Hagan Arena, limiting the hosts to a mere 18 points in the first half before clinging to the four-point win down the stretch. Kethan Savage led the way for the visitors with 16 points, along with six rebounds and four assists, followed by Kevin Larsen with 15 points, nine boards, five dishes and three blocked shots, while Yuta Watanabe pitched in with 12 points off the bench in 23 minutes of action.

Patricio Garino, who tallied nine points and eight rebounds against the Hawks, continues to be the leading scorer for the Colonials with his 13.2 ppg. He is also tops on the unit with 31 steals and is one of the better rebounders with 5.3 per contest, which should be enough of a reason to abandon his hopes of being a 3-point threat this season, considering he has converted just 4-of-22 on the perimeter. Savage (12.7 ppg) and Larsen (11.5 ppg) are also strong performers in the paint with a combined 12.5 rpg for a unit that is coming up with 38.4 rpg.

As long as Garino can come out and establish himself as the top performer that he is for the Colonials, the team should have little trouble continuing its dominance at home on Tuesday.