As the nonconference schedule unfolded, that perception quickly faded as the Billikens struggled, whether it was at the rim or beyond the 3-point arc.

Their five nonconference losses had a similar look with SLU shooting below 40% in each defeat and 35% overall in those games.

The transformation since the start of Atlantic 10 Conference play has been startling and timely. SLU has been the best shooting team in the conference in its first eight games and that has translated to a six-game win streak and a spot alone atop the standings entering Tuesday night’s game at Fordham.

Senior wing Javonte Perkins has a simple explanation.

“I guess we just found it at the right time,” he said. “I think we might have found our rhythm.”

Coach Travis Ford has a more elaborate analysis of why the Billikens are shooting 51% overall and 39% beyond the arc in conference play after finishing nonconference games at 44% and 32%.

“Without question it’s sharing the ball,” he said. “We’re moving it better. When I called a play early in the year, they were shooting it no matter what. Now when someone double teams us, we’re making the next play. … When you’re being double-teamed, you’ve got to make the next play to make it easier for you and better for the team. Everyone has done a better job of that.”

As SLU approaches the halfway mark of the A-10 schedule, it has not shot below 40% in its eight games. It’s been an across-the-board improvement.

Yuri Collins is shooting 59% in league games. Big men Francis Okoro and Jake Forrester have combined to shoot 64%. Sincere Parker and Terrence Hargrove Jr. are both a tick over 50%.

While Perkins is lagging a bit behind those numbers, he has looked more like himself recently while making a wider array of shots. He’s even been effective with the ball in his hands and creating.

“I wasn’t making a lot of shots earlier, but I’m getting used to things and making more,” he said. “We all know what we can do. We give the ball to Yuri a lot, but we’re showing we can play on the ball as well. We don’t have to put all the pressure on him.”

Gibson Jimerson has combined with Sincere Parker and Hargrove to boost the team’s 3-point shooting. And as Perkins rounds into shape, it doesn’t hurt that Collins has been more accurate beyond the arc, albeit in limited attempts.

Early in the season there was reason for concern because the offense was inconsistent. Especially baffling was SLU’s poor conversation rate around the basket.

There were some games that the Billikens were below 50% on shots classified on the in-game statistics as layups, which can be wide-open breakaways, tip-in attempts, post shots or drives.

“We’re better but there’s still room for improvement,” Ford said. “But Francis has been finishing better inside. Jake has been really good at times. And we’ve had guys driving and finishing better.”

Decisions made by Collins often are the key factor in whether the Billikens get a good shot. He has been less prone to driving, getting stuck and taking a bad shot since the start of conference play.

Additionally, Perkins, Parker and Javon Pickett have shown the ability to create shots. When everything is combined in a game, SLU has displayed a more vast array of scoring options and methods.

“They hear me say it all the time, get in the paint, draw help and when you do, finish or find someone else,” Ford said. “It’s about decision making, and we’ve been making better decisions.”