Saint Louis pulls away from Hartford 85-68

ST. LOUIS, Mo. (AP) Mike Crawford scored 17 points, Miles Reynolds scored 16, and Saint Louis pulled away in the second half to beat Hartford 85-68 in its season opener on Sunday.

Ash Yacoubou and Milik Yarbrough scored 13 each and Reggie Agbeko added 11 for the Billikens.

Saint Louis opened with a 16-2 run, but Hartford (1-1) replied with a 14-2 run and Pancake Thomas tied it at 18 with a 3-pointer. Justin Graham's 3-pointer put the Hawks up 31-30, but Yarbrough sank a layup and free throw amid a 7-1 run and Saint Louis led 37-32 at halftime.

Yarbrough capped a 12-2 run with a layup to open the second half and the Billikens led by 12 after Reynolds hit two free throws with 2:59 left.

Thomas, one of three transfers who were forced to sit out last season due to NCAA transfer rules, scored 15 for the Hawks, Graham scored 13 and John Carroll, 12.