EDWARDSVILLE, Ill. – Four players scored in double figures Wednesday as SIUE men's basketball rolled to an 81-49 triumph over Robert Morris-Springfield at the Vadalabene Center.

The 81 points scored was a season-high for the Cougars while the 49 points allowed also was a season-best for SIUE.

"This was a much better defensive game for our guys," SIUE Head Coach Lennox Forrester said.  "I thought we came out with some great intensity and great effort, which was a big change from Monday."

Michael Messer and Kris Davis shared scoring honors for the Cougars with 15 points each. Jerome Jones pumped in 13 points and pulled down a game-high nine rebounds. Derian Shaffer added 11 points.

"After sitting out last year, Michael is doing a fine job, and he's coming along well," Forrester added. "He's doing some really good things out there, and we need guys like him to bring it every night to give us a chance to win."

The Cougars, now 4-5, held the Eagles to just 13 first-half points. Robert Morris connected on just 5 of 29 shots from the field (17.2 percent) in the first 20 minutes, and SIUE led 39-13 at the break.

SIUE shot a season-high 52.1 percent (25-48) from the floor for the game while sinking a season-best 25 free throws in 29 attempts.

"We can't just live off shooting jumpers. We have to get to the free throw line as well," Forrester said. "I'm glad our guys were able to knock those free throws down tonight."

The Cougars also collected a season-best 16 assists. Reggie Reed paced SIUE with a career-high seven helpers.

Reid David led the Eagles with a game-high 16 points. Jordan Softley added 10 points for Robert Morris-Springfield, which fell to 4-6 with the loss.

The Cougars will now break for the holidays before returning to take on Saint Louis Fri., Dec. 28.

"One thing we have to do over the holiday break is get healthy," Forrester said. "We talked about getting two wins this week, having a good Christmas, then coming back ready to work and get ready for a very good Saint Louis team."