Box Score
Box Score

ST. LOUIS, MO. – Junior Hazaria Washington began her Tritons career with a double-double, recording 12 points and 12 rebounds, in helping the University of Missouri-St. Louis women's basketball team to a 53-50 season-opening victory over Hannibal-LaGrange on Monday night. The victory also marked the successful debut of first-year head coach Katie Vaughn.

Sophomore Kelly McGovern added 10 points and tallied five steals as the defense forced the Trojans into 25 turnovers, resulting in 17 Triton steals. UMSL, which shot 35.6 percent from the floor, took advantage of the miscues, outscoring Hannibal-LaGrange, 24-12, in points off turnovers.

UMSL took a 21-16 lead into the break after outscoring the Trojans 11-2 in the final six minutes and 27 seconds. A pair of Sindy Chavez free throws put Hannibal-LaGrange up 14-10 before the Tritons' run, which was capped on an offensive put back by freshman Kelly Kunkel as time expired.

UMSL extended its lead to 25-18 two minutes into the second half before eight unanswered points by Hannibal-LaGrange gave the guests a 26-25 lead with 15:27 to play. Five lead changes and four ties later, the Tritons took the lead for good at 49-48 on a Washington lay in with 3:11 to play. Hannibal-LaGrange's Ashley Wilson converted a traditional three-point play with 3:42 remaining to put the Trojans head 48-47, but wouldn't hit another field goal the remainder of the way.

Senior Angela Johnson finished with six points, four rebounds, three assists and three steals, while freshman Logan Sims chipped in seven points, connecting on all three field goal attempts, and collected three rebounds. Senior Deaven Omohundro added three assists and three steals.

Both teams pulled down 36 rebounds with the Tritons owning a 15-10 offensive edge. UMSL scored 12 second chance points.

Hannibal-LaGrange, which was playing this game as an exhibition, was led by Ashleigh Spencers's game-high 20 points. The Trojans shot 41.3 percent from the floor, including 50 percent in the second half.

UMSL returns to action next Tuesday (Nov. 20) traveling to Christian Brothers in Memphis, Tenn.

TRITON TIDBITS: This was the first-ever meeting between the two programs… UMSL improves to 26-13 all-time in season openers… Katie Vaughn is the first women's basketball head coach to record a victory in her debut since Shelly Ethridge did so in 1997 with a 77-73 victory over Missouri Baptist.