Loe scores 20, Saint Louis rallies late to defeat UMass 70-62 for 9th straight victory

Massachusetts' Maxie Esho, left, is fouled by Saint Louis' Rob Loe during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game, Thursday, Jan. 10, 2013, in St. Louis. Saint Louis won 70-62. (AP Photo/St. Louis Post-Dispatch, Chris Lee) EDWARDSVILLE INTELLIGENCER OUT; THE ALTON TELEGRAPH OUT (The Associated Press)

1ab2aafd-Massachusetts Saint Louis Basketball

Saint Louis guard Jordair Jett (5) drives to the basket against Massachusetts' Cady Lalanne during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game, Thursday, Jan. 10, 2013, in St. Louis. Saint Louis won 70-62. (AP Photo/St. Louis Post-Dispatch, Chris Lee) EDWARDSVILLE INTELLIGENCER OUT; THE ALTON TELEGRAPH OUT (The Associated Press)

ST. LOUIS – Rob Loe scored 20 points and Saint Louis closed the game on a 20-8 run to defeat Massachusetts 70-62 Thursday night in the Atlantic 10 opener for both teams.

Jordair Jett added 15 points for the Billikens (12-3), who have won nine straight — their longest streak since winning 14 in a row to start the 1993-94 season.

Cady Lalanne had 18 points and 13 rebounds for Massachusetts (10-4), which had its seven-game winning streak snapped. Chaz Williams added 14 points and seven assists.

Massachusetts used a 3-pointer from Freddie Riley, a tip-in by Lalanne and another 3 by Williams to take a 54-50 lead with 9:28 remaining. Back-to-back layups by Jett capped a 7-0 run that put Saint Louis back in front for good, and UMass made only 2 of 11 shots the rest of the way.