EDWARDSVILLE, Ill. – SIUE men's basketball got contributions from the entire roster Sunday in a dominating 97-54 win over Eureka to finish the nonconference portion of the schedule at First Community Arena.
The Cougars improved to 7-4. It marks the fourth straight year that SIUE has finished the nonconference season with a winning record.
SIUE had to overcome a relatively slow start, falling behind Eureka 15-11 with 11:39 to play in the first half. The Cougars rallied for a 21-2 run to take a 32-17 advantage. Eureka's Jacob Gonzalez knocked down a pair of free throws with 4:48 to play before halftime before the Cougars scored the final 10 points of the half to lead 42-19 at halftime.
The Cougars got three-pointers on their first three possessions of the second half, including the first career three-pointer by Arnas Sakenis, to spark an 18-3 start to the period and lead 60-22 with 16:38 left. SIUE rolled from there, building its lead to as many as 49 points.
SIUE had five players score in double figures for the just the second time this season. Jordan Pickett led the way with 15 and was followed by Ring Malith who scored 13 and led the way with eight rebounds.
Tyler King and Harrison Alexander each added 11 points – a career high for both. Iwo Baganc added a career-best 10 points. He scored the final eight points of the game for SIUE, including break-away dunks on three consecutive possessions.
Sakenis scored nine points and Jack Campion pitched in eight points. CJ Hall scored six points and Darius Robinson added five points and a game-high five assists.
The Cougars dominated inside, outscoring Eureka 54-12 in the paint and keeping the Red Devils without a point in the paint during the entire first half. SIUE outrebounded Eureka 42-31 for the game and got 47 points from its bench.
With 21 assists for the game, SIUE was just three from its season high. The Cougars' 39 made field goals also were second most in a game this season. For the game, SIUE connected on 51 percent (39-76) of its shots.
Eureka was led by Jaxson Provost's 12 points. 20 players saw playing time in the game for the Red Devils.
SIUE next opens Ohio Valley Conference play on the road at Eastern Illinois Thursday.
