Saint Louis’ Francis Okoro registered a double-double with 11 points and 12 rebounds, and Gibson Jimerson once again led the team in scoring with an 18-point effort as the Billikens rolled to an 86-44 win over Eastern Illinois Friday at Chaifetz Arena.
The Billikens complete their season-opening homestand, which featured three games in four days, with a 3-0 record. Eastern Illinois falls to 2-0.
Okoro was 2-4 from the field and 7-8 from the free throw line to account for his 11 points. He corralled six offensive and six defensive rebounds. It was Okoro’s first SLU double-double – he had two during his Oregon career.
Jimerson led the team in scoring for the third straight game thanks to 7-of-14 shooting from the field.
Also scoring in double figures was Marten Linssen, who scored 15 points. Yuri Collins pumped in 11 points and added a team-high six assists.
The Billikens shot 49.2 percent from the field. The SLU defense held EIU to 26-percent shooting from the field.
Saint Louis used first-half runs of 12-0 and 17-0 to open up a big lead on the Panthers. The Billikens took a 50-16 lead into halftime and held a comfortable lead throughout.
SLU is next in action on Tuesday, Nov. 16, against No. 12 Memphis at FedEx Forum. Game time is 7 p.m.
