UMSL Falls to 18th-Ranked SIUE

Rivermen Fall to Cougars 65-60

St. Louis, Mo. – The Missouri-St. Louis basketball team battled 18th-ranked SIU Edwardsville down to the end before falling 65-60 to the Cougars. The game featured four ties and 11 lead changes, the last coming with just under the 12-minute mark as SIUE held on in the final minutes for the 65-60 win.

UMSL had the hot hand early, getting the first five points of the game and led by seven points at the 8:32 mark after a layup by Aaron Jackson (St. Louis, Mo./Hazelwood Central). SIUE then scored eight straight points to take a one-point lead. UMSL answered right back with a jumper by Derrell Minner (New Madrid, Mo./New Madrid Central), but the Cougars got a three pointer on the next possession to retake the lead and SIUE led by three at halftime, 24-21.

The Cougars pushed their lead out to nine points early in the second half and led 36-27, but the Rivermen responded with an 11-1 run to retake the lead. David Ward (Maryland Heights, Mo./DeSmet) keyed the run, getting a three-point play from Ward to start the run. He then converted on a layup on the next trip down the floor, and followed that by dishing a pass out to Joey Paul (Highland Park, Ill./Highland Park) who hit a three pointer to pull UMSL with one. After a free throw by SIUE, Troy Slaten (St. Louis, Mo./Marquette) then hit another three pointer to give UMSL the 38-37 win. The teams then exchanged baskets on the next few possessions and UMSL took a 42-41 lead on a jumper by Troy Slaten with 12:26 left. SIUE retook the lead on their next trip down the floor and held on with some late free throws to secure the 65-60.

UMSL was led by Troy Slaten with 17 points, hitting 7-of-16 from the field. Jonathan Griffin added 12 points and 13 rebounds and David Ward scored 10 points in the loss. The Rivermen are now 13-9 on the season and 6-8 in the GLVC.