After less than two weeks of practice, St. Louis University's exhibition opener Friday night against Arkansas-Fort Smith figured to be a little rough around the edges, especially considering that for five of those SLU players, those two weeks were the sum total of their college experience.

The Billikens did well at times and looked lost at others — expect some sessions on remedial blocking out in upcoming practices — as they blew the game open in the second half with their defense leading to some easy offense in a 79-51 win at Chaifetz Arena. Willie Reed made all nine of his shots from the field for 19 points and had seven rebounds. Among the freshmen, Femi John had eight points, six rebounds and five assists and Christian Salecich had nine points and five assists. Free throws were a problem, with SLU making just five of its first 14 at the line.

SLU's big men showed they won't miss much from very close range. Reed had 12 points in the first half on six shots whose combined length may have been a yard, and freshman Jon Smith had three dunks. Brian Conklin made his one first-half shot, leaving freshman Cory Remekun as the only front liner to miss a shot. But SLU missed some shots badly — Kwamain Mitchell was one for nine from the field in the first half — and the eight first-half rebounds they allowed Arkansas-Fort Smith netted some easy points.

SLU led by as many as 11 in the first half before Arkansas-Fort Smith cut the lead to 43-38 five minutes into the second half. SLU then went on a 15-2 highlight-reel run. Salecich threw a lob to Reed for a dunk. A double-team by Conklin and Justin Jordan led to a steal and a Jordan layin. Another steal, another dunk for Reed (that made him nine for nine) and then a 3-pointer by Jordan made it 53-40 and all was safe.

THE 'OLD MAN'

Guard Paul Eckerle, the only player on the SLU roster who's not a freshman or sophomore, was on the court during the game, but in a suit and tie. Eckerle tore knee ligaments during a summer pickup game and likely will miss the entire season. He still plans to be at every practice and travel with the team to every road game.

Even though Eckerle averaged only 11 minutes per game last season and just 1.6 points, Majerus thinks it will be a big loss.

"Losing Eckerle is a major loss," Majerus said. "He gave you that great leadership on the court and he was inspirational. He's still inspirational. He was a three-year guy for me. Who knows how much he'd play? He'd definitely play. He played in every game last year and he improved. Look at his body, look at the condition he's in. He just got a bad break. But, we move on from there. He'll do everything but be on the court."