Gibson Jimerson took full advantage of a rare eight-day stretch without a game. The St. Louis University graduate senior enjoyed some much-needed rest and relaxation.

鈥淚 didn鈥檛 even look at a basketball,鈥� Jimerson said.

That time off paid huge dividends on Saturday as Jimerson came out of the break refreshed and ready to roll.

The 6-foot-2-inch guard scored 21 points and grabbed 11 rebounds to lead the Billikens to an 81-66 win over Rhode Island in an Atlantic 10 Conference game in front of 7,993 fans at Chaifetz Arena.

Jimerson recorded the first double-double of his career in his 159th game. And it was all set up by a little time away from the game.

鈥淲e all just sat back and took a couple of days to ourselves,鈥� Jimerson said. 鈥淜ind of reset the mindset a little bit.鈥�

SLU鈥檚 last game before Saturday was a 78-69 loss to Loyola on Feb. 14.

The Billikens snapped a three-game losing streak in what was essentially a must win if they want to stay in the chase for one of the top four spots in the A-10 tournament, which begins March 12 in Washington, D.C.

SLU improved to 15-12 overall and 8-6 in league play and sits in a three-way tie with Dayton and St. Joseph鈥檚 for fourth place in the 15-team loop. The top four finishers receive a double-bye and an automatic berth in the quarterfinal round.

Junior Robbie Avila led the way with 22 points. Freshman Amari McCottry added 13 points and eight rebounds off the bench. He made one of the biggest shots of the game, when his 3-pointer with 16:39 left put the hosts ahead 46-42 and quelled a Rhode Island rally.

Isaiah Swope chipped in with eight points and four assists. He also led a defensive charge that threw a blanket over Rhode Island scoring machine Sebastian Thomas, who managed just eight points on 3-of-14 shooting. Thomas came into the game as the fourth-leading scorer in the league, at 18.1 points per game.

鈥淭hat was our best team win of year in terms of the amount of guys that we had contribute,鈥� SLU coach Josh Schertz said. 鈥溋窳悠� were able to come in and build on a very good week of practice and translate that practice to the floor.鈥�

Jimerson and company came out and played with a point to prove after dropping three in a row including a 76-74 overtime loss at home to George Mason on Feb. 11.

Schertz gave his players some time off and several took advantage by returning home for a few days.

鈥淛ust time to get away and do whatever you need,鈥� Schertz said. 鈥淚 didn鈥檛 want them in the gym.鈥�

The break also served as a shot in the arm to McCottry, who bested his previous season high of nine points.

鈥�(Schertz) talked about it that this would be a well-needed win,鈥� McCottry said. 鈥淲e did whatever it took.鈥�

SLU showed that rest trumped rust with a quick start on the way to the wire-to-wire triumph.

Jimerson got the ball rolling with a 3-pointer just 31 seconds into the contest. Kobe Johnson added another triple for a 6-0 lead. The defense then stepped up to force a shot clock violation.

The Billikens pumped the advantage to 20-11 later in the half on a 3 pointer by freshman forward Max Pikaar. It was the first triple of his career.

Rhode Island (17-9, 6-8) stayed within striking distance behind Jamarques Lawrence and David Green, who added 19 and 16 points respectively.

Green brought the Rams close at 43-42 with a driving layup just three minutes into the second half.

McCottry then came through with his 3-pointer that started a 7-0 run. He followed with a short jumper before Avila pumped the advantage to 50-42 by muscling in a basket from close range.

Rhode Island never got closer than to within seven points the rest of the way.

The Billikens shined at the defensive end all game long. They held Rhode Island without an offensive rebound the entire contest and also came away with 11 steals, six in the first half while building up the lead.

鈥淭his was really a good performance, something to build on,鈥� Schertz said.

The Billikens connected on 15 of 38 shots from 3-point range, with Jimerson hitting five.

The contest was the first of a rugged five-game stretch to close the regular season. SLU will play at Davidson on Tuesday before hosting Loyola Chicago on March 1. It plays at Dayton on March 4 and finishes at home against Duquesne with a chance at the coveted double bye in the tournament.

鈥淲e like our chances,鈥� Jimerson said.