Cold First Half Leads to UMSL Loss

Rivermen Fall at SIUE 83-63

Edwardsville, Ill. – The UMSL Rivermen suffered a tough loss to GLVC rival SIUE 83-63 on Saturday afternoon. The loss drops UMSL to 9-16 on the season and 5-13 in the GLVC, and putting a damper on UMSL hopes to make the GLVC tournament.

UMSL got off to a slow start as the Cougars jumped out to a 13-0 lead in the opening five minutes of the game. UMSL was plagued by bad shooting the whole first half, hitting just five field goals in the opening half. During a six-minute stretch in the half, the Rivermen failed to hit a field goal, scoring on just six field goals during that span. SIUE took a 20-point lead going into halftime, leading 42-22 at the break. The second half saw the Cougars hold on to that 20-point advantage throughout the half and won the game 83-63.

UMSL was led by Jonathan Griffin (St. Louis, Mo./Normandy) with 17 points and David Watkins (St. Louis, Mo./Desmet) came off the bench to score 11 points and grabbed nine rebounds. SIUE had four players in double figured, led by Ron Jones with 22 points and Tim Bauersachs had a double double with 14 points and 10 rebounds.

The Rivermen fall to 9-16 on the year and 5-13 in the GLVC with two games left in the season. UMSL will host Wisconsin-Parkside next Thursday night and then close out the regular season against Saint Joseph’s next Saturday.