MAGNOLIA, Ark. – Chibuzo Elonu registered a double-double and Chris Roussell led four Southeastern players into double-figure scoring, but it was not enough as the Savage Storm fall on the road in the season opener, 70-64, at Southern Arkansas.

Southeastern will be back in action on Friday when it travels to Stephenville, Texas, to play in the Tarleton Classic, facing Angelo State at 5 p.m.

Elonu and Roussell were both playing their first contests for the Storm, with Elonu putting up 10 points and 10 rebounds, while Roussell led the team with 13 points.

Jordan Lee and William Slones each chipped in 12 points to round out the double-digit scoring.

Slones also added eight rebounds and a pair of blocked shots.

Mychal Horn finished the night with eight points and led the way in assists with four.

The teams played nearly identical first halves, each hitting 12-of-25 from the field with the Muleriders connecting on 4-of-10 from 3-point range and 4-of-6 from the free throw line, compared to SE’s 2-of-4 (3-point) and 2-of-3 (free throw) in those categories, accounting for the 32-28 SAU lead at halftime.

Despite falling behind early, SE found an answer midway through the first half and turned a 10-5 deficit into a 19-14 lead in just over five-and-a-half minutes.

The advantage would not last long, however, as the Muleriders outscored the Storm 18-9 to fashion the halftime score.

Southeastern would never regain the lead, despite closing to within four points three times with less than three minutes to play as SAU held off the Storm rally to set the final at 70-64.