EDWARDSVILLE, Ill. – SIUE men's basketball used a 55-point second half to pull away from St. Ambrose University for a 100-60 win Sunday in exhibition play at First Community Arena.
Following a pregame ceremony including the awarding of rings and the unveiling of banners for SIUE's 2024-25 Ohio Valley Conference Championship, four returners scored in double figures to help the Cougars to a win.
SIUE was led by Kyle Thomas' 17 points. Ring Malith scored 14 points. Arnas Sakenis scored 13 while pulling down nine rebounds and adding two blocked shots on the defensive end. Jordan Pickett scored 11 points.
Myles Thompson scored eight points and added seven rebounds. Southern Indiana transfer Jack Campion scored seven points while pitching in a team-high five assists.
Jo Valrie, CJ Hall and Harrison Alexander each added seven points as well.
Back-to-back three-pointers from Malith helped SIUE to lead 45-34 at halftime. The Cougars opened the second half with a 14-2 run, forcing a timeout from St. Ambrose with 16:11 left in the game.
SIUE finished with 17 total assists and just four turnovers for the game and outrebounded St. Ambrose 52-28.
Nolan Deitrich paced the Fighting Bees with 13 points including three three-pointers.
SIUE opens the regular season Nov. 4 when it plays host to East-West University at First Community Arena.
