A rough start to the campaign for Lorenzo Romar’s St. Louis Billikens last night as they lost their season opener to Southern Illinois 69-64. The Billikens lost the game despite 27 points from Marque Perry. St. Louis was hammered on the glass in this one as the Salukis enjoyed a 43-26 rebounding advantage. That total included 18 offensive caroms for SIU. St. Louis trailed by eight at the half and never got any closer then three over the final twenty minutes.