ST. LOUIS – Saint Louis pulled away from Central Arkansas with an 18-0 run early in the second half, and the Billikens breezed to a 96-61 victory over the Bears Tuesday night at Chaifetz Arena in the season opener for both teams.
 
Gibson Jimerson led all scorers with 17 points and was joined in double figures by Jordan Nesbitt (15) and Yuri Collins (14). Collins added game highs of 12 assists and four steals, matching his career high in both categories.
 
In all, 11 players scored for the Billikens, who shot 51.4 percent from the field in the game. The Bills neared 60-percent shooting in the second half as SLU erupted for 53 points in the second session to put the game out of reach.
 
Saint Louis' 96 points were the most in a season opener since the 1982-83 Billikens beat St. Ambrose 97-73 in their season opener. Also, the 96 points are the second-most points scored by the Billikens during the Travis Ford era.
 
SLU won its season opener for the fifth straight season.
 

The @BommaritoAuto Fast Highlights from 96-61 win over Central Arkansas pic.twitter.com/0oGuawmXJq

— Saint Louis MBB (@SaintLouisMBB) November 10, 2021

Central Arkansas, which was led by Collin Cooper's 12 points, jumped out to a six-point lead in the first half before SLU regained control. The Billikens took a 43-32 lead into halftime.
 
After the Bears started the second half with four straight points to force an early SLU timeout, the Billikens regrouped and responded with an 18-0 run out of that timeout to build a +20-point advantage. SLU cruised the rest of the way.
 
All available Billlikens saw playing time in the game, with 12 players playing more than 10 minutes.
 
Saint Louis returns to action tomorrow night, Wednesday, Nov. 10, when it hosts Harris-Stowe at 7 p.m.at Chaifetz Arena. Fans can tune in to KMOX 1120 AM or watch on Bally Sports Midwest.