Saint Louis University opened the 2010-11 basketball season with a 73-53 victory over Cardinal Stritch in a preseason game at the Chaifetz Arena.
Junior forward Brian Conklin led the Billikens with 17 points -including a perfect 8-for-8 night from the field. Junior guard Kyle Cassity chipped in with 11 points while freshman center Rob Loe added 10 points in the SLU debut.
The Billikens trailed early 8-6, but Cassity scored seven consecutive points to give his team the lead to stay. SLU increased the lead to 35-25 at halftime. SLU shot 60 percent from the field and outrebounded the smaller Wolves 30-22.
It was also the SLU debut for freshmen forward Dwayne Evans and guards Jordair Jett and Mike McCall. The 6’5″ Evans had eight points and a team-high seven rebounds and three assists. Jett added eight points, four rebounds and two assists while McCall had five points and two steals.
The Billikens return to action on Saturday night when they host NCAA Division II Nova Southeastern (Fla.). Tip-off is scheduled for 7 p.m.