UMSL Suffers First Loss of the Season

Rivermen Fall to Kentucky Wesleyan 69-65

St. Louis, Mo. – The Missouri-St. Louis men’s basketball saw their season opening win streak come to an end, falling 69-65 to Kentucky Wesleyan. The Rivermen are no 4-1 on the season after opening the year with four straight wins for the first time since the 1966-67 season.

UMSL stayed close but fought from behind for most of the first half. The Panthers got off to the early lead with an 8-2 run to open the game before UMSL came back and cut the deficit to two points. KWC would slowly add to their lead, pushing it out to as many as 12 points at 28-16 with nine minutes left in the half. The Rivermen would respond by scoring the next nine points, including a layup and a three pointer by Nathan Whittaker (Sullivan, Mo./Sullivan) to make it a three-point game at 28-25. KWC would respond with a three pointer of their own and would led by eight, 43-35, at halftime.

The Panthers continued to hold that lead early in the second half, leading 48-39 with just under 17 minutes remaining when UMSL made a run. The Rivermen got a layup from Nathan Whittaker, followed by back-to-back three pointers from Jonathan Griffin (St. Louis, Mo./Normandy) and Troy Slaten (St. Louis, Mo./Marquette) to make it a one-point game at 48-47 with 14 minutes left. UMSL could not get over that hump and get the lead, as the Panthers rallied and scored nine straight points to keep a hold of the lead. UMSL would continue to fight back, and got within two points on a couple of occasions, and after a pair of David Ward (Maryland Heights, Mo./DeSmet) free throws, trailed by one at 66-65, but KWC would connect on some late free throws and hold on the 69-65 win.

UMSL was led by Troy Slaten with a game high 22 points. David Ward had 16 points and seven rebounds. Jonathan Griffin had 13 points and six rebounds and Nathan Whittaker had a career best 11 points on the night. The Rivermen are now 4-1 on the season after opening the year with four straight wins. UMSL will be at home again on Saturday when they host Southern Indiana at 3 pm.