JONESBORO -- As one of two Arkansas schools playing against out-of-state opposition in the Natural State Hoopfest, Little Rock Hall felt an extra sense of pride after Saturday's victory.

The Warriors held Saint Louis University in check for most of the game and defeated the Junior Bills 55-42 at Don Riggs Hurricane Gymnasium.

"Our guys get really excited about getting to play different opponents," Hall Coach Jon Coleman said. "Coming off the Jammin' For Jackets in which we see our common opponents in Little Rock, it's really refreshing to see an opponent that you wouldn't see the rest of the year."

The Warriors (5-3) took control early with a 12-1 run en route to a 14-6 advantage after the first quarter. The lead grew to 25-10 after a 7-0 run as they took a 28-16 halftime lead.

Hall played tight to start the third quarter as Saint Louis opened on a 7-0 run to trim the deficit to 28-23. The Junior Bills (5-3) cut it to five, 35-30, with 1:27 left, but the Warriors scored five consecutive points bridging the third and fourth quarters to open a 40-30 advantage.

"We saw a little tape on them, and we wanted to try to slow them down because we thought their guards were really good," Coleman said. "The zone helped slow the pace of the game down, but they started to quicken the pace there in the third. But then we were able to control the tempo again."

Saint Louis cut it to eight twice before the Warriors put the game away with a 12-4 run to make it 54-40 with 1:23 left in the game. Maurio Goggins, who scored a game-high 15 points, helped the Warriors with 4 fourth-quarter assists.

"We always have an experienced guard, and as they go, we go" Coleman said. "And so as Maurio Goggins goes, so Hall goes right now."

Issac Beal added 9 points and 4 blocked shots for the Warriors. Brandon McKissic led the Junior Bills with 11 points, while B.J. Wilson added 9.