ST. LOUIS – Wali Parks scored a career-high 16 points while Cletrell Pope matched a season-high with 19 rebounds in his 30th career double-double as Bethune-Cookman dropped a 77-67 decision to Saint Louis in the final non-conference game for both squads Sunday night.

Javonte Perkins scored 21 points, including a three-pointer that broke open a 42-42 tie as the Billikens (11-2) pulled away in the second half.

Parks brought BCU (6-8) back to 50-49 with 10:21 remaining, but Saint Louis took control with a 15-2 run. The closest the Wildcats got after that were a pair of eight-point deficits, 72-64 on a Jordan Preaster lay-up with 2:15 remaining and on three Parks free throws with 45 seconds to play.

BCU used a strong second half start to erase a 35-28 halftime for a 39-38 lead on Leon Redd's lay-up with 15:54 remaining and again at 41-40 with 14:51 left on an Isaiah Bailey jumper.

In the first half, BCU made just one of its first 14 field goal attempts, but worked its way back into the game after falling behind nine.

Pope gave BCU a 16-15 lead on a lay-up with 10:01 left, then Malik Maitland followed with a basket to make it 18-15. Houston Smith sank two free throws to make it 20-17 with 8:02 to play.

Pope and Redd each scored 11 points for the Wildcats, while Smith finished with 11.

BCU opens Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference play on January 4 at Norfolk State.

NOTES: Pope also had 19 boards at Georgia Tech and in the season opener against Johnson (Fla.) … Saint Louis' two losses were at Seton Hall and Auburn with wins including at Kansas State and Boston College … BCU outrebounded the Billikens 48-47 …Parks had only been to the free throw twice in 13 games, but was 5-7 Sunday.