ST. LOUIS - Southeast Missouri State never trailed as the Indians romped past Saint Louis 65-49 tonight in a non-conference men's basketball game at Savvis Center. The offense-starved Billikens lost their third in a row and were hurt by the absence of leading scorer Reggie Bryant, who missed the game with an inflamed left eye.

Leading 16-12, the Indians went on a 10-0 run to break the game open in the first half. SEMO shot 54.2 percent (13-24) from the field in the opening stanza including a sizzling 71.4 percent (5-7) from three-point distance. Included among the Indians' five treys were two that were banked in. Meanwhile, SLU's season-long shooting woes continued as the Bills hot 26.9 percent (7-26) from the field and 44.4 percent (4-9) from the free throw line.

"We're a team that is based on its defense, and how another team can come into this building and shoot 52 percent is baffling," Billikens head coach Brad Soderberg said. "When you are 2-9, nothing makes sense, and we're searching for answers."

Forwards Reggie Golson and Dainmon Gonner netted 19 and 17 points, respectively, as SEMO (3-6) snapped a two-game losing streak. Guard Derek Winans came off the bench to contribute 13 points. The Indians shot 52.2 percent from the field and 57.1 percent from three-point range. The Billikens dominated the glass 37-27, but had 18 turnovers.

Freshman guard Dwayne Polk led SLU with 12 points, while senior forward Izik Ohanon added 10 points and eight boards. The Bills shot 38.9 percent from the field, missing all eight of their three-point attempts, and shot a paltry 38.9 percent (7-18) from the free throw line.

The Billikens (2-9) travel to 16th-ranked Iowa on Fri., Dec. 31, for a 7:05 p.m. start.