AT LINCOLN: Live Stats | Video
VS. CULVER-STOCKTON: Live Stats | Video | Audio

THIS WEEK IN UMSL MEN'S BASKETBALL
The UMSL men's basketball team returns from a 12-day layoff with a pair of games that will close out the nonconference portion of its schedule. The Tritons make a return trip to Lincoln on Monday before hosting Culver-Stockton on Wednesday at 3:15 p.m. UMSL has been idle since a 72-65 overtime loss to Maryville in the GLVC opener on Wednesday, Dec. 5.

SCOUTING THE OPPONENTS
Lincoln stands at 2-8 on the season and are coming off a 57-45 loss to Northeastern State on Saturday, Dec. 8. Cedric Ridle paces the Blue Tigers with 18.2 points, 6.3 rebounds and 1.7 steals per game.

Culver-Stockton hosts a pair of games before its trip to St. Louis. The Wildcats, which enter those contests with a 9-2 record, have four players averaging double figures, including James Johnson's team-best 17.4 points per game. Marshawn Norris adds 16.5 points and 6.0 assists per game.

EARLIER THIS SEASON VS. LINCOLN
UMSL posted an 81-71 win over Lincoln in St. Louis on December 1. Junior Michael Weber scored eight of his 14 points during an 18-7 second half run that helped the Tritons record the win. Junior Darian Cartharn scored a team-high 18 points as UMSL shot 39.2 percent from the floor and owned a 33-30 rebounding advantage.

THE SERIES
UMSL is 25-11 all-time against Lincoln. Prior to their meeting earlier this month, the two teams last met on February 16, 2005, when the Tritons posted a 104-80 victory at home.   

UMSL has won all three previous meetings against Culver-Stockton, including a 74-48 victory last season. That game also took place on December 19.

SIZING UP THE TRITONS
UMSL slipped to 5-2 on the season with its loss to Maryville. The Tritons have four players averaging double figures, led by senior Joshua McCoy's 17.8 average. McCoy also paces the team in assists (3.8 per game) and steals (1.7 per game). Senior Charlie Woods adds 13.6 points and a team-high 6.4 rebounds per game.

MAKING THE FREE ONES
The Tritons are taking advantage of getting to the free throw line, connecting at a GLVC-best 81.9 percent mark, which also ranks third in all of NCAA Division II. Three players rank in the top 10 in the league, including senior Charlie Woods, who is third nationally and second in the league at 96.8 percent (30-of-31). Junior Michael Weber is third in the GLVC at 93.8 percent (30-of-32), while senior Joshua McCoy is eighth at 87.9 percent (29-of-33).

UMSL leads the GLVC in total free throws made (158) and is second in attempts (193), averaging 27.6 attempts per game over the Tritons' five-game effort so far.

HEAD COACH STEVE TAPPMEYER
Steve Tappmeyer is in his third season as the head men's basketball coach at UMSL and owns a career coaching mark of 448-230 (.661) in 23 seasons. In two seasons with the Tritons, he is 40-22 (.645). Prior to his appointment at UMSL, Tappmeyer coached 21 seasons (1989-2009) at Northwest Missouri State with an overall record of 408-208 (.662). The all-time winningest coach in program history, he directed the Bearcats to 10 NCAA Tournament berths and three regular season and four conference tournament championships. Tappmeyer is the sixth head men's basketball coach in UMSL program history.

MORE ON TAPPMEYER'S SUCCESS
Steve Tappmeyer entered the 2012-13 season ranked 22nd among active Division II coaches in victories and 31st in winning percentage.

HOME SWEET HOME
UMSL owns a 334-204 (.621) record in its home facility - the Mark Twain Building. The arena opened in the fall of 1971 and during the 1971-72 season, the Tritons posted a 13-0 record on their new home court. UMSL posted a 12-1 on its home floor last season and is off to a 5-1 start this season.

UP NEXT
UMSL returns its focus to the remainder of the GLVC slate as it opens the New Year at Southern Indiana on January 3. That game also marks the start of three straight games against Top 15 opponents. Southern Indiana is ranked seventh in the NABC Division II Coaches Top 25 Poll, while UMSL's two opponents after that game are also nationally ranked. The Tritons visit No. 13 Kentucky Wesleyan on January 5 before hosting No. 5 Bellarmine on January 10.