Late Lead Escapes UMSL in Loss to Lewis

St. Louis, Mo. – The University of Missouri-St. Louis men’s basketball team saw a late lead evaporate as the Rivermen fell 74-63 against Lewis University. The game was preceded by the official dedication of UMSL’s new Chuck Smith Court, named in honor of former men’s basketball coach and athletic director Chuck Smith.

Lewis got the first five points of the game, but UMSL came back quickly and led 8-7 after a jumper by Brett Ledbetter. Lewis responded with five straight points to take a four-point lead, but UMSL stayed closed and would tie the game at 23-23 after a free throw by David Ward. With the score tied 25-25, UMSL went on an 8-2 run, six of those points scored by Ledbetter, to lead by six points at 33-27. The Flyers would answer with the final four points of the half and cut the UMSL lead to two points, 33-31, going into halftime.

The second half started with an exchange of buckets before Lewis took a two-point lead at 39-37. UMSL then used a 12-2 run over the next four minutes to take an eight-point advantage. The run started on a three pointer by Brett Ledbetter and included three pointers by Cody Kliethermes and Troy Slaten as UMSL led 49-41 with 12:19 remaining in the game. Lewis would fight back and took the lead at the 7:53 mark on a tip-in basket, but UMSL got it right back on a layup from Octavious Hawkins to lead 55-54. A pair of free throws by Ledbetter gave UMSL a 59-56 lead with 5:09 left in the game, but the Flyers would close out the second half with an 18-4 run and take the 74-63 win.

UMSL was led by Brett Ledbetter with a game-high 25 points and five rebounds, while Troy Slaten scored 18 points in the loss. Octavious Hawkins had team highs of seven rebounds and four assists.

The Rivermen fell to 5-10 on the season and 1-7 in the Great Lakes Valley Conference. UMSL will be at home again on Saturday when they host Wisconsin-Parkside at 3 pm.