Saint Mary's first game as a ranked team in 18 years turned into a disappointment.

Bryan Mullins scored 24 points, and Southern Illinois held the 24th-ranked Gaels to a season-low point total in a 71-56 victory Tuesday night.

Southern Illinois outrebounded Saint Mary's 39-24, including 20-7 on the offensive end.

Saint Mary's Coach Randy Bennett said he knew Southern Illinois would be tough but was startled by his team's inability to stay close on the boards in its first game as a ranked team since March 1989.