Memphis, Tenn. Nov. 15, 2013 – The No. 9-ranked Washington University in St. Louis men's basketball team began its 100^th season with an 85-71 win at Rhodes College Saturday afternoon in Memphis.

Senior forward Matt Palucki led all scorers with 20 points and a career-high 17 rebounds as Washington U. had all five starters score in doubles figures. The other four starters all had a career-highs against the Lynx: senior forward Nick Burt (16 points), senior guard David Fatoki (16), junior guard Luke Silverman-Lloyd (14) and junior forward Mitch Styczynski (12).

Washington U. shot 53.6 percent (30-56) from the field and 80 percent (16-20) from the foul line in the win. The Bears also outrebounded Rhodes 43-24.

Silverman-Lloyd capped a 9-0 run with three-pointer to give the Bears an early 16-8 lead. The Bears built the lead to double figures (21-10) after a bucket by freshman forward Matt Highsmith, but Rhodes mounted a comeback. An 18-2 run by the Lynx gave them their largest lead of the half at 28-23 with 5:04 to play.

Palucki had six points during a 15-7 run to end the half as Washington U. took a 39-35 lead to the locker room. Palucki led the Bears with 13 first-half points, but Washington U. was hampered by 10 turnovers. The Bears shot 50 percent (14-28) from the field and outrebounded Rhodes 24-13.

Trailing by three (54-51) with less than 13 minutes to play, Washington U. took control with an 8-0 run to take the lead for good. The Bears got the lead back into double figures after a three by Silverman-Lloyd and a bucket by Styczynski. The 6-foot-6 forward from Bloomington, Ill., had all 12 of his points in the second half on 3-for-3 shooting from the field and 6-of-7 free-throws.

Washington U. (1-0) returns to action Sunday, Nov. 16, against Hendrix College. Game time is set for 1 p.m. in Memphis.

Bear Notebook: Washington U. leads the all-time series with Rhodes, 14-7, and the teams met for the second straight season … The double-double for Palucki was the 10^th of his career … The Bears are 21-14 in season openers under head coach Mark Edwards, and won their eighth straight … Fatoki, Silverman-Lloyd and Styczynski all made their first career start … There was six ties and 10 lead changes … Rhodes' bench outscored Washington U., 22-8.