Salukis beaten by Billikens

~ Southern Illinois fell to 2-3 with its first loss to St. Louis University since the 2002-03 season.

ST. LOUIS -- Ian Vouyoukas scored 17 points and pulled down 12 rebounds, leading St. Louis University to a 56-42 victory Wednesday night over Southern Illinois.

The Billikens (2-1) scored their first victory over the Salukis since they won a home-court decision in the 2002-03 season.

The St. Louis defense stymied Southern Illinois, holding the Salukis to just 28 percent shooting (15-of-53), including 2-for-17 from 3-point range.

The Billikens started out strong, scoring 13 unanswered points early in the first half to take a 19-6 lead. Vouyoukas scored eight points in the run and blocked two shots.

But Southern Illinois (2-3) battled back and closed the gap to 20-17 after holding St. Louis scoreless for 4 minutes, 28 seconds.

Vouyoukas made three free throws to give the Billikens a 23-19 lead at halftime.

Matt Shaw made three free-throws in the first two minutes of the second half to pull the Salukis within a point at 23-22 with 18:46 to play. Southern Illinois never got closer.

Jamaal Tatum was the only Southern Illinois player in double figures, scoring 11 points. Tatum went 4-for-17 from the floor.

Southern Illinois outrebounded St. Louis 37-34 but made 17 turnovers to the Billikens' 15.