The SMS Bears opened their 2003-2004 season with an 82-71 win over Western Illinois at the Hammons Center. SMS is one of three schools hosting first round games in the Guardians Classic. South Carolina and Richmond are also hosting games. Tamar Maclin led the way for SMS with 14 points and nine rebounds. Freshman Blake Ahearn, of DeSmet High School of Creve Coeur, chipped in13 points in his college debut. It was a balanced scoring attack for the Bears, which had five players scoring in double digits. SMS scored 41 points in each half. Tonight, they’ll face the University of San Francisco, which beat Tennessee Martin 73-62 in the other game. With a win, SMS will advance to the semifinals, which will be held next week in Kansas City.
