Ward Scores Career High 20 Points in Loss to SIUE

St. Louis, Mo. – UMSL’s David Ward scored a career high 20 points, hitting 9-of-14 from the field, in a losing effort as the Rivermen fell 70-68 to visiting SIUE on Saturday night.

UMSL got off to a quick start, scoring the first seven points of the game and led 10-1 five minutes into the first half. Brett Ledbetter hit two three-point field goals during that opening stretch to give the Rivermen the early lead. SIUE fought back quickly, using an 8-0 run to get back in the game and tied it at 12-12. UMSL then scored the next five points to lead 17-12 with nine minutes left in the half. The teams went back and forth after that and went into halftime tied 30-30.

The Cougars scored the first four points of the second half but UMSL stayed close and took a lead at 38-37 after a pair of free throws by Nathan Whittaker. SIUE then jumped ahead and took a 13-point lead at 64-51 with 6:11 remaining in the game when UMSL made their late run. UMSL got a three-point play from Brett Ledbetter that cut the lead down to just six points at 64-58 with 4:16 left, but the Cougars again pushed their lead out to nine points at 68-59 with 3:31 remaining. UMSL followed with consecutive layups from Ledbetter and David Ward, followed by a three pointer by Troy Slaten that barely beat the shot clock buzzer and brought UMSL to within two points at 68-66 with 1:12 left in the game. After a free throw by SIUE, UMSL’s Brett Ledbetter hit another layup to pull UMSL within a point at 69-68. SIUE then got a free throw to lead by two points, and UMSL then had two shots to try and tie the game that came up short as UMSL fell 70-68.

UMSL was led by David Ward who scored a career high 20 points and Brett Ledbetter scored 20 points as well. Troy Slaten added 11 points off the bench, and Octavious Hawkins dished out a team high nine assists and Nathan Whittaker pulled down a team best eight rebounds.

The Rivermen fall to 5-6 on the season and 1-3 in the GLVC. UMSL will be at home on Monday night when they host Indianapolis at 7:30 pm.