Rangers Defeat UMSL 78-71

Rivermen Early Lead Evaporates Quickly in Loss

St. Louis, Mo. – The UMSL men’s basketball team was defeated 78-71 by visiting Wisconsin-Parkside on Thursday night, ending the Rivermen hopes for a bid to the GLVC Tournament.

The Rivermen jumped out to a quick lead early in the game, grabbing an 11-2 advantage in the opening four minutes, as Ronnie Banks (Birmingham, Ala./Phillips) scored the first five points for UMSL. With that lead, the Rivermen then saw the Rangers go on a 15-0 run over the next five minutes and lead 17-11. UMSL fought back and tied the game at 19-19 on a three pointer by Jonathan Griffin (St. Louis, Mo./Normandy), but UWP then went on a 14-3 run and lead by 11 points, 33-22, with three minutes left in the half and led 41-30 at halftime.

In the second half, the Rangers got the first points of the half and pushed out to a 17-point lead at 54-37 with 13:25 remaining. The Rivermen then put together a run, led by Ronnie Banks and Jonathan Griffin, as the two combined for eight straight points to make it a 54-45 game with just under 12 minutes to play. With UMSL still down by nine points, Wisconsin-Parkside scored the next five points to push their lead back up to 14 at 63-49. UMSL would make another charge, going on an 8-1 run over the next two minutes and eventually cut the deficit down to six at 66-60 after a Ronnie Banks free throw. UMSL would stay with the Rangers and get as close as five points at 76-71, but could get no closer as UWP went on for the 78-71 victory.

UMSL was led by Jonathan Griffin with a game-high 25 points and nine rebounds, and Ronnie Banks with 21 points, six rebounds and five assists. Wisconsin-Parkside had two players with 20 points, as Dom Melton and Den Pogodzinski each led the way for the Rangers.

The Rivermen are now 9-17 on the season and 5-14 in the GLVC. UMSL will close out its regular season on Saturday when they host Saint Joseph’s at 1 pm.