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(AP) -- NEW YORK (AP) - Dwayne Evans nearly set a career high in points for the second straight game, and No. 16 Saint Louis' defense locked down Butler in the second half for a 67-56 win Saturday to reach the Billikens' first Atlantic 10 title game.

Evans had 24 points and 11 rebounds a day after going for 25 and nine in the quarterfinals against Charlotte.

Top-seeded Saint Louis beat the Bulldogs for the third time this season. Butler may be the bigger name, but the Billikens have been the class of the A-10 in 2013.

The Billikens (26-6) held Butler without a field goal for almost seven minutes midway through the second half to pull away. Meanwhile, Evans went to work inside, showing off his post moves at 6-foot-5 or earning free throws to put the Bulldogs (26-8) in foul trouble.

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