ST. LOUIS - SIU-Carbondale guard Kent Williams popped in 22 points and forward Jermaine Dearman added 13 points and 10 boards as the Salukis knocked off Saint Louis 69-64 in the Billikens' home opener. The loss snapped the Billikens' streak of nine consecutive home opening victories.

"You have to give Southern Illinois credit for coming in here, playing aggressively and taking care of business to post a W on the road," Billikens head coach Lorenzo Romar said. "All you have to do is look at their 18 offensive rebounds to see where the game was won."

The Billikens fell behind early by 10 and never could recover. The Salukis pounded the Bills on the glass 24-9 in the first half as SIUC kept SLU from corraling a single offensive board. Williams had 14 of his points in the first half to jump start the Salukis who led 28-20 at the half.

Saint Louis closed within 39-35 on Billiken forward Ross Varner's three-pointer with 12:29 to play, but the Salukis answered with a 9-0 run to put the game away.

Saint Louis junior guard Marque Perry led one last gallant rally in the final minute as the Billikens crept within three with six seconds remaining, but the Salukis closed the game without further damage. Perry finished with a game-high 27 points.

Neither team was sharp offensively. The Billikens shot 40.4 percent from the floor and 29.4 percent from three, while the Salukis shot 37.7 percent from the field and 33.3 percent from threeland. SLU had 10 assists and turned the ball over 16 times, while SIU had 11 assists and 18 turnovers. SIUC won the game by virtue of a monstrous 44-26 edge on the glass.

"We knew they would be aggressive and give it all they had, and we should have responded better than we did," Perry said. "They did a good job getting out on the wings and shutting down the post. It's up to us to have everyone giving their all and stepping up to the challenge."

Varner was the only other Billiken in double figures with 10 points. Darren Brooks came off the bench to help the Salukis with 14.

The Billikens (0-1) move on in the Las Vegas Invitational to face Hartford at 7 p.m. (CT) on Thanksgiving Day. The Salukis (2-0) will face Iowa State earlier that afternoon.