Rivermen Fall in Overtime to Hawks

UMSL Falls 75-68 to Quincy

St. Louis, Mo. – The Missouri-St. Louis men’s basketball team fell behind early against Quincy, but came back late to tie the game before falling in overtime 75-68 to the Hawks. The Rivermen never trailed until the closing minutes of regulation, but Quincy tied the game to force overtime where the Hawks took over for the win.

Quincy got off to the quick start, leading 6-1 in the opening five minutes of the game before UMSL cut into that deficit. The Rivermen got the lead down to four points on several occasions, once after a layup from Troy Slaten (St. Louis, Mo./Marquette) with 11 minutes in the half to make it 14-10. Quincy qould get the lead back up to nine points when UMSL made a late first half charge. Derrell Minner (New Madrid, Mo./New Madrid Central) got a tip in off an offensive rebound with five minutes left in the half to make it a three-point deficit at 25-22, and a three pointer by Troy Slaten at the end of the half made it a 31-29 game at the break.

After a jumper by Quincy to start the second half, UMSL got another three pointer from Troy Slaten to make it at one-point game at 33-32, but the Hawks responded with six straight points to lead by seven. The Rivermen would again cut into the Quincy lead, as Joey Paul (Highland Park, Ill./Highland Park) hit a three pointer to bring UMSL within one at 43-42 with 13:39 left in the game. Quincy held the lead and got it back up to nine points again, and led by seven points at 59-52 with four minutes left in regulation.

From that point, the Rivermen would then go on a 9-2 run to get their first lead of the game. Two free throws by David Ward (Maryland Heights, Mo./DeSmet) tied the game at 61-61 with 2:13 left, and on UMSL’s next possession, Troy Slaten hit a jumper to give the Rivermen their first lead of the game at 63-61. The Hawks came right back and tied the game again, and the teams then exchanged buckets in the final minute to go to overtime tied 65-65. In the overtime period, Jonathan Griffin hit a three-pointer for the first points of the extra period, but the Hawks defense shut down UMSL as Quincy scored the final 10 points in overtime to win 75-68.

UMSL was led in scoring by Jonathan Griffin with 22 points and eight rebounds. David Ward scored 16 points and pulled down seven rebounds and Troy Slaten and Chris Mroz (Chicago, Ill./St. Patrick) each added 10 points for the Rivermen.

The Rivermen are now 13-10 on the season and 6-9 in the GLVC. UMSL will be on the road next weekend to play at Rockhurst on Thursday night and at Drury next Saturday.