Box Score Box Score | Video Highlights

ST. LOUIS, MO. – Sophomore Alexis Lawrence scored seven of her 10 points in a three-minute stretch to help the Tritons rally from a late 16-point deficit, but the University of Missouri-St. Louis women's basketball team couldn't finish the comeback as visiting Maryville University hung on for a 73-64 victory in the Great Lakes Valley Conference opener on Wednesday night.

After the Saints capped a 15-5 run on a jumper by Kayla Person to take their largest lead of the game at 63-47 with 5:27 to play, Lawrence scored five straight to ignite the rally, while her jumper at the 2:10 mark pulled the Tritons within 67-60. However, UMSL would get no closer as Maryville closed out the game by netting 6-of-8 free throws to help secure the win.

UMSL slips to 3-2 overall with the loss, including 0-1 in the GLVC, while Maryville moves to 4-3 overall and 1-0 in the league.

The Tritons were paced by senior Devonna Smith's career-high 23 points and nine rebounds. Smith hit 9-of-16 field goals and was 5-of-5 at the free throw line, while also adding three assists, two blocked shots and a pair of steals. Junior Hazaria Washington followed with 13 points and eight rebounds, while Lawrence finished with 10 points and seven rebounds.

The Tritons finished the game shooting 37.9 percent, including 46.7 percent in the second half, and owned a 47-32 rebounding advantage, including a 17-8 edge on the offensive end. Maryville connected at a 40.4 percent mark from the floor and had four players in double figures, led by Britnye McSparron's 19 points.

UMSL missed its first seven field goals to start the game as Maryville jumped out to an early 7-0 advantage. UMSL then outscored the Saints, 20-8, during a nine-minute stretch and took its largest lead at 20-15 on a pair of Jessica Zavoral free throws with 7:03 to play.

Maryville responded with a 17-4 run to close to out the half, including scoring the final 12 points to take a 32-24 lead into halftime. After Washington connected for a three-pointer at the 3:59 mark, UMSL would not score the rest of the half.

Sophomore Kelly McGovern recorded team-bests of five steals and four assists.

UMSL has 11 days off before returning to action on Monday, Dec. 17, when they travel to Lincoln.

TRITON TIDBITS: UMSL falls to 7-5 all-time against Maryville and has lost four straight in the series… UMSL slips to 1-15 in GLVC openers… the Tritons lost their first home game of the season.