Slaten Scores 23 Points in Loss to Indianapolis

St. Louis, Mo. – The University of Missouri-St. Louis men’s basketball dropped another close game, falling 64-59 to visiting Indianapolis on Monday night. Troy Slaten led UMSL with 23 points in the game, hitting 8-of-17 from the floor and 6-of-12 from three-point range.

The first half was an even battle, as there were a total of eight ties and four lead changes in the opening 20 minutes and neither team led by more than six points. UMSL’s biggest lead was a four-point advantage, coming at the 11:20 mark after a layup by David Ward made it 16-12 in favor of the Rivermen. UIndy came back with two straight buckets to tie it again and the Greyhounds broke a 20-20 tie with six straight points. UMSL then closed the half with an 8-2 run that included two three pointers from Troy Slaten and the teams went into halftime tied 28-28.

Each team opened the second half with a three-point field goal as it was tied 31-31 before the Greyhounds scored seven straight to lead 38-31 with 17:33 left in the game. UIndy would then push their lead out to as many as nine points at 50-41 with just over ten minutes remaining. UMSL would then chip away at that lead, knocking it down to four points at 50-46 after another three pointer from Troy Slaten. UIndy got a three-point play but Slaten answered again with another three pointer to keep UMSL within four points at 55-51 with 6:45 remaining. The Rivermen would get within three point at 59-56 when Slaten hit yet another three-point field goal with 1:08 left to play, but UIndy would hit free throws down the stretch and hold on for the 64-59 win.

UMSL was led by Troy Slaten with 23 points, hitting 8-of-17 from the field and 6-of-12 from three-point range. Brett Ledbetter added 11 points and Octavious Hawkins pulled down a game-high ten rebounds.

The Rivermen fall to 5-7 on the season and 1-4 in the GLVC. UMSL will be on the road this weekend to play at Bellarmine on Thursday, January 11, and at Northern Kentucky on Saturday, January 13.