UMSL Wins First Conference Road Game of the Season

Paul Scores Season High 20 Points

Indianapolis, Ind. – The Missouri-St. Louis men’s basketball team won their first conference road game of the season defeating the University of Indianapolis. The rivermen hit 9-10 from the free throw line in the final minute of the game to hold on to the 85-81 win.

UMSL jumped out to a quick 7-0 lead including two layups from Joey Paul (Highland Park, Ill./Highland Park) in the opening minutes of the game. The Rivermen would stay ahead and push the lead out to 14 after a three point field goal by Chris Mroz (Chicago, Ill./St. Patrick) with 5:20 remaining in the half to lead 34-20. The Greyhounds responded with a 13-0 run to bring the game within one point at the 1:56 mark. UMSL would hold on to the lead and went into halftime leading 40-35.

The second half remained a close game as the University of Indianapolis tied the game twice during the first seven minutes of the half, however, they were never able to take the lead away from the Rivermen. UMSL would stay ahead and finally push the lead out to as many as 10 after a pair of free throws by Chris Mroz with 4:37 remaining in the game. The Greyhounds would get within two points with 1:41 left but the Rivermen would hit 9-10 free throws in the final minute to hold on for the 85-81 win.

Joey Paul lead the scoring with a season high 20 points including 9-9 from the free throw line. Jonathan Griffin (St. Louis, Mo./Normandy) added 19 points, David Ward (Maryland Heights, Mo./DeSmet) scored 15 points, and Troy Slaten (St. Louis, Mo./Marquette) had 11 points.

UMSL is now 13-8 on the season and 6-7 in the GLVC. The Rivermen will be back home next weekend as they take on the SIU-Edwardsville Cougars on Thursday at 7:30 pm and Quincy on Saturday at 7:30 pm.