BUTTE, Mont. -- Jovan Sljivancanin went for a career-high 34 points and 13 rebounds and the Carroll College Fighting Saints men's basketball opened their season up in outstanding fashion, defeating No. 18-ranked Southern Oregon (NAIA DII) 79-58.

"We carried over our intensity from practice this week to the game," Saints coach Kurt Paulson said. "The players earned the victory with their attention to detail on defense. We outrebounded them and that was key as well." 

Carroll started the game on a 14-2 run, playing a tenacious brand of defense that looked more reminiscent of a midseason form than a young team learning how to play together. Southern Oregon (0-1) couldn't find it's rhythm, finishing the first half with a meager 16 points, while shooting just 25 percent from the field. 

The Saints, meanwhile, surged to a 39-16 lead. Any growing pains that were expected of a team that played five freshmen on Friday and eight underclassmen, were nowhere to be found. Sure the Saints had a few lapses but throughout the game, Carroll never let SOU get comfortable. 

Sljivancanin, who came on strong for the Saints a season ago, blew up the box score with his totals, while senior Dane Warp added 12 points and a game-high four assists and freshman Dennis Flowers III finished with 10 points. 

The Raiders punched back in the second half, outscoring the Saints 42-40, though most of that damage came from the free-throw line, as the Saints couldn't get to the line, shooting just nine free throws, while SOU shot 25, making 19. 

The Raiders never truly made a run at the Saints. 

Carroll outrebounded the experience-laden Raiders 25-21, a fact Paulson pointed out had a big impact in the victory. 

Aaron Borich led the Raiders with 17 points. 

The Saints will face Eastern Oregon tomorrow at 5 p.m. The Mountaineers are coached by former Saints assistant Carlito Labarda Jr, who is assisted by former Saints assistant Jesse Repay. 

NOTES: Brendan Temple had the first dunk of the season for the Saints, stealing the ball and flushing the ball in the first half… Sljivancanin bettered his previous career-high of 23 points by a whopping 11 points…