EDWARDSVILLLE, ILL. -- For the 13th consecutive year, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville won its home opener crushing Lindenwood 86-55 in men's basketball on Wednesday night.
         J.B. Jones led all scorers with 16 points, adding seven assists as four Cougars scored in double figures.
         SIUE jumped on the Lions early going on a 15-4 run the first 5:29 of the game. SIUE shot 48.7 percent (19-39) in the first half to lead 48-31 at the break.
         SIUE outscored Lindenwood 38-24 in the second half to go to 1-0 on the season. Lindenwood had its four-game winning streak snapped and is now 4-3.
         Sophomore Doug Taylor netted nine points and grabbed a career-high 13 rebounds. Justin Ward had 13 points on 5-for-7 shooting. Ty Johnson came off the bench to score 12.
         Ryan Belcher had 12 points with five assists and five steals in his first regular season game at SIUE.
         Freshman Nick Arth notched eight points going 4 for 6 from the field with five rebounds in his Cougar debut.
         SIUE shot 43.2 percent (32-74) from the field for the game and 37.9 percent (11-29) from behind the three point arch.
         Johnny Viehland led the Lions with 13 points on 6-of-9 shooting.
         The Cougars will be back in action on Saturday as the Ferris State Bulldogs visit the Vadalabene Center at 3 p.m. Both SIUE and Ferris State advanced to the NCAA Tournament last season.
                  -siue cougars-