UMSL Snaps Losing Streak Behind 30 Points from Slaten

St. Louis, Mo. – UMSL’s Troy Slaten scored a career high 30 points to lead UMSL to a 77-74 win over Wisconsin-Parkside that snapped a six-game losing streak for the Rivermen.

UMSL got off to a quick start, jumping out to a 10-6 lead in the first six minutes of the game and the Rivermen led by nine, 21-12 with 11:10 left in the half. In that early going, UMSL relied on some long-range shooting, getting five three pointers during that run. Troy Slaten accounted for 11 of those first 21 points, including three, three-point field goals, and Cody Kliethermes had two three pointers as well. Wisconsin-Parkside fought back to within three points at 21-18, but UMSL got a jumper from Slaten and back-to-back rebound layups from Paul DeChellis and the Rivermen increased their lead to 13 points at 35-22 with 2:14 remaining. UMSL held the lead and went into halftime leading by eight points, 35-27.

The Rivermen started the second half strong, using a 12-2 run to open the half and extend their lead out to as many as 18 points, 47-29, with 16 minutes remaining. In the opening run, four different Rivermen scored, capped off by a three pointer from Troy Slaten. UWP would slowly chip away at that lead, knocking it down to just five points at 58-53 with 6:20 left in the game. UMSL responded with a three pointer from Brett Ledbetter to keep control of the game as the Rivermen held that lead over the next five minutes. With less the two minutes left in the game, the Rangers got close again, getting a three pointer and a pair of free throws to make it a two-point game at 72-70 with 0:39 left. The Rivermen hit late free throws to deter any comeback hopes for UWP and held on for the 77-74 win.

Troy Slaten led UMSL with a career high 30 points, hitting 10-of-14 from the field and 4-of-6 from three-point range and 6-of-7 from the free throw line. Brett Ledbetter added 23 points, most of it coming from the line where he hit 12-of-13 free throws, and Ledbetter dished out five assists as well. Paul DeChellis pulled down a team-high eight rebounds and added six points as well.

The Rivermen improve to 6-10 on the season and 2-7 in the Great Lakes Valley Conference. With the win, UMSL snapped a six-game losing streak, its longest in four years under head coach Chris Pilz. The Rivermen will be at home on Tuesday, January 23, when they host St. Louis College of Pharmacy in a non-conference game.