UMSL Holds on For 76-70 Win

Rivermen Bench Helps Big in Conference Win

St. Louis, Mo. – The UMSL men’s basketball team got some big play from its bench on Thursday night, getting 17 points from Mindaugas Adamonis off the bench and some good minutes off the bench from Derrick Redd in a 76-70 victory over Saint Joseph’s.

Saint Joseph’s came out on fire in the first half, jumping out to a quick ten-point lead at 14-4 in the first five minutes of the game. UMSL never let the lead get more than ten however, and eventually fought back thanks to a spark off the bench from Derrick Redd (St. Peters, Mo./Francis Howell) and Mindaugas Adamonis (Vilnius, Lithuania). Redd came in the game and assisted on a bucket inside to Adamonis, and then hit a three pointer before assisting another inside layup by Adamonis. A short time later, Redd again notched another assist, finding Justin Foust (St. Charles, Mo./St. Charles West) in the corner for a three pointer that cut the lead down to just five points at 25-20 with 8:42 left in the half. UMSL then cut the deficit down to three points at 25-22 after a layup by Redd at the 7:24 mark. Saint Joseph’s responded and pushed the lead back up to nine points with 5:29 left in the half at 36-27 before the Rivermen close the half with a flurry. UMSL used an 8-0 run to close the half, as Larry Wells (Memphis, Tenn./Westwood) scored six of those points and UMSL went into the lockerroom trailing by just one point, 36-35.

The game went back and forth to start the second half, with four ties in the first four minutes of the half. UMSL then took control and scored five straight points to take a 49-44 lead. With the Rivermen leading 53-49, UMSL went on an 11-0 run, with Jo’Van Fisher (East St. Louis, Ill./Althoff) scoring five of those points, to give UMSL a 64-49 lead with eight minutes remaining. The Pumas fought back, getting as close as four points with 2:44 left. A jumper cut the lead back to just two points, 72-70, with 0:38 left before Justin Foust hit two free throws to push the lead back to four. Foust, who ended the game with ten points, then got a key rebound on the defensive end and hit two more free throws for the 76-70 final score.

UMSL was led by Mindaugas Adamonis with 17 points off the bench, hitting six of his eight shots, and grabbing five rebounds. Jo’Van Fisher added 13 points and a game high nine rebounds. Tom Kessinger led Saint Joseph’s with a game high 22 points.

UMSL is now 4-2 on the season and 2-1 in the GLVC. The Rivermen will be at home again on Saturday afternoon when they host Wisconsin-Parkside at 3:15 pm.