WILMORE, KY - The Salem International University men's basketball team fell to Asbury (NAIA) in their season opener at the Asbury Gymnasium in Wilmore, KY.

The Tigers open up the season with a 0-1 record while Asbury improves to 6-1.

Jamal Robinson (Washington D.C.) led all scorers with 30 points (7-for-14), including a perfect 13-13 performance from the foul line. Newcomer Gerard Tarin (Fort Myers, FL) had the first official double-double for the 2014-15 campaign with 10 points and 10 boards. Gerard Tarin (Fort Myers, FL) and Kushan Hunter (Harlem, NY) had 10 points apiece to round out the Tiger double-digit scoring.

Although it was a loss, the Tigers showed improvement from their three pre-season contests. Salem, who was shooting a pedestrian 34% from the floor, shot 43.9% from the floor tonight. The SIU bench outscored the Asbury bench by a 31-19 margin.

Salem will now face off against current NCAA Division II  #1 ranked West Liberty on Thursday at West Liberty, W.Va. The Hilltoppers are 2-0 with wins over St. Augustine's (105-61) and Fayetteville State (101-89). The two old WVIAC rivals haven't met since February 14th, 2009 when the Toppers defeated Salem, 100-79, at the T. Edward Davis Gymnasium.