Rockhurst opened the 2017-18 season on Saturday with a 98-68 loss at Southern Illinois as five players scored in double figures for the Salukis.

The Hawks shot 50 percent from the field in the first half as Rockhurst went into halftime only trailing 39-36. Junior forward Auston Rushing scored the first eight points of the game for the Hawks as Rockhurst jumped out to an 11-2 lead.

Southern Illinois outscored the Hawks 19-4 in the first five minutes of the second half to take a 58-40 lead. The Salukis shot 62.5 percent in the second half while scoring 59 points in the final 20 minutes.

Rockhurst committed 21 turnovers in the game, leading to 33 points for the Salukis. The Hawks only scored 11 points off 11 SIU turnovers.

"Our turnovers killed us. If we want to be a great team, we can't make a lot of turnovers," said Rockhurst coach Drew Diener. "I thought some of our guys showed some flashes, especially on the offensive end."

Rushing led Rockhurst with 12 points (all in the first half) and five rebounds. Zach Burch posted 10 points on five-of-six shooting. Freshman Eddie Muench hit three 3-pointers to finish with nine points. Freshman Curtis Lewis tallied eight points, three assists and three rebounds. Freshman Quinton Curry also scored eight points.

The Hawks shot 49.1 percent from the field (27 of 55) and 42.9 percent on 3-pointers (nine of 21). The Salukis hit 54.7 percent on their field goals (35 of 64) and 38.1 percent from beyond the 3-point line (eight of 21).

Rockhurst opens the regular season on Friday (November 10) against Purdue Northwest in the GLVC-GLIAC Challenge in Westville, Indiana.