ST. LOUIS – A 16-2 second-half run gave Saint Louis a commanding lead, and the Billikens went on to defeat Southeast Missouri State 92-67 in the season opener for both teams Monday night at Chaifetz Arena.
 
Five Billikens scored in double figures, and Robbie Avila and Dion Brown posted their 11th and 10th career double-doubles, respectively. Avila had a game-high 18 points, Brown (5-of-7 FG) scored 11, and the teammates shared game-high rebounding honors with 11 boards apiece.
 
Amari McCottry (7-of-8 FG) tossed in 16 points, Kellen Thames tallied 12 and Quentin Jones added 10 for Saint Louis, which shot 49.3 percent (33-of-67) from the floor and 81 percent (17-of-21) from the foul line.
 
Jones (seven) and Brady Dunlap (six) also contributed significantly on the glass as the Billikens out-rebounded the Redhawks 54-29. The Bills also earned big advantages in points in the paint (48-28), fast-break points (20-8) and bench points (28-12).
 
SLU held SEMO to 35.5 percent shooting overall and 25 percent from the arc.
 
Leading 48-41 with less than three minutes gone in the second half, Saint Louis began its 16-2 spurt with a bucket by Jones, and Avila followed with one of his game-high three 3-pointers.
 
A SEMO foul was ruled a flagrant-1, leading to a five-point possession consisting of two Thames free throws and Green's triple.
 
Jones' three-point play and another Green 3-pointer capped the run and put the Bills on top 64-43 with 11:47 remaining. SEMO drew no closer than 16 points the rest of the way.
 
There were five lead changes in the first half. SEMO knocked down a 3-pointer on its second possession and remained in front until Thames' fast-break layup gave SLU a 15-14 edge.
 
The Billikens trailed 22-21 with 8:41 left, but a 10-0 run in a span of less than two minutes turned the tables. Saint Louis led 44-33 after Avila connected from 3-point range and settled for a 44-35 halftime advantage.
 
The Bills host Chicago State Thursday, Nov. 6, at 7 p.m. in game two of a doubleheader. The SLU women take on Middle Tennessee State at 4 p.m.