SETTING THE SCENE
UMSL returns to the court following a nine-day layoff for final exams to host Oakland City.
 
SIZING UP THE TRITONS

• UMSL is 5-4 overall and has been idle since a 75-57 home win over Christian Brothers on Friday, Dec. 7. The Tritons did also play an exhibition game at UMKC two days later, falling 92-63.
• The Tritons are 5-1 at home and are on at wo-game win streak.
• They have three players averaging double figures, including senior Arielle Jackson (15.8 ppg), sophomore Alex LaPorta (12.0 ppg) and senior Kaitlynn Henning (10.2 ppg).
• Jackson has a team-best 22 three-pointers and is shooting 40 percent from beyond the arc and also averages 3.3 assists per game.
• LaPorta leads the team with 10.3 rebounds (also the conference leader) and 2.4 steals per game.
• Freshman Kiara Stewart is averaging 15.5 points per game in her last two outings (which includes CBU and UMKC).

 
SCOUTING THE OPPONENTS
The Mighty Oaks are 2-3 overall and have played one other GLVC school, falling to Indianapolis, 103-74.  
 
SERIES HISTORY
UMSL is 9-2 all-time against Oakland City and earned a 96-54 road win last year. LaPorta had 10 points and 11 rebounds in that game, in which UMSL shot 55.4 percent and recorded then season-highs of 58 rebounds and 27 assists.
 
UP NEXT
UMSL plays its final non-conference game on December 30 at Arkansas Tech.