ST. LOUIS (AP) -- Willie Reed scored 15 points and added 12 rebounds to lead Saint Louis to a 59-41 victory over Southeast Missouri State on Saturday night in the season opener for both teams. Brian Conklin had 15 points and Kwamain Mitchell scored 13 for the Billikens, who never trailed in helping coach Rick Majerus improve to 22-1 in season openers. Anthony Allison and Derek Thompson each had 10 points to lead Southeast Missouri State, which was playing its first game under new coach Dickey Nutt. The Redhawks shot 28 percent, including 1-for-11 from 3-point range, and were outrebounded 47-33. Saint Louis was up 30-20 at halftime and increased its lead to 16 points early in the second half. Southeast Missouri State followed with a 16-5 run, which included six points from Allison and four from Thompson, to close within 41-36 with 10 minutes left. The Billikens put the game away by scoring the next eight points. Kyle Cassity had a 3-pointer during the run, and Reed added a dunk and free throw to put Saint Louis ahead 49-36 with 5:21 left. Reed, a 6-foot-9 sophomore, recorded his first double-double despite missing six of nine free throws. Saint Louis struggled from the free-throw line throughout the game, going 11 for 23. Conklin made his first four shots and scored nine consecutive points to put Saint Louis ahead 13-6 seven minutes into the game. The Billikens stretched their lead to 22-12 after a 3-pointer from Justin Jordan. Southeast Missouri State got within five points at 22-17, but another 3-pointer from Jordan and a free-throw from Cory Remekun just before halftime put Saint Louis ahead by 10 points. (Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
