Husak's play helps Majerus win home opener

ST. LOUIS -- Seven-foot senior sub Bryce Husak had a big game, helping Rick Majerus win his home debut at Saint Louis.

Husak had 13 points and a career-best seven rebounds off the bench in a 66-58 victory over Detroit that extended Majerus' record in home openers to 21-0.

"You can't help but be excited," Husak said. "This is what basketball is about. You want to help your team win, then there's always individual stats."

Kevin Lisch was 7-of-8 from the line in the last 1:21 and added 12 points and six rebounds for Saint Louis (3-1). The Billikens were 23-of-28 from the line, Detroit 5-of-8.

Majerus, hired to elevate Saint Louis to prominence, said there's a good reason for his perfect record in home openers and near-perfect mark in openers period, losing only to Kansas in 1995.

"Most of my career those have been bad teams," Majerus said. "I'm not saying Detroit was, and quite frankly I'm proud of the guys on this win. But historically I've played the Lady of the Lake."

Josh Samarco had 16 points with four 3-pointers for Detroit (1-1), which shot 52 percent in the second half to make it close. Chris Hayes added 14 points and Jon Goode 10 for the Titans, who cut the deficit to five on Samarco's 3-pointer with 30 seconds to go.

Husak, who finished one rebound above his previous best and one point below his career high for scoring, allowed Saint Louis to overcome 15 turnovers and generally ragged play. The game was a defensive struggle matching teams content to slug it out in a half-court game, with no fast break baskets.

-- The Associated Press