Box Score

ST. LOUIS, MO. – Sophomore Kelly McGovern scored 14 points, while senior Devonna Smith added 12 as the University of Missouri-St. Louis women's basketball team defeated Drury, 58-56, on Saturday afternoon in Great Lakes Valley Conference action. It was the first-ever win in program history over the Panthers, who had won all previous 17 meetings.
 
The Tritons used a 10-4 run to open the second half, turning a 32-29 halftime deficit into a 39-36 lead on a jumper by Hazaria Washington with 14:46 to play. The Panthers answered with five straight to retake the lead at 41-39, but a bucket by freshman Kelly Kunkel ignited an 11-2 run that gave the Tritons a 48-43 lead they would not relinquish on a McGovern three-pointer at the 8:59 mark.
 
Drury's Katie Pritchard, who scored a game-high 22 points on 10-of-16 shooting, pulled the Panthers within 57-56 with 1:28 to play, before senior Angela Johnson was sent to the free throw line, making the first of two for the final score. Pritchard had a wide open three-point shot from the wing bounce off the rim as time expired.
 
Johnson finished with eight points, including UMSL's five final points in the last 5:42 of the game, and added four assists and two steals.
 
UMSL improves to 10-7 overall, including 5-4 in the GLVC, equaling both last year's season wins total and GLVC wins total. Drury slips to 8-9 and 2-7 in the league.
 
Drury shot 53.8 percent from the field in the first half to take the three-point lead into halftime. UMSL scored the game's first seven points before a 13-4 run by Drury gave the Panthers their first lead of the game at 13-11 with 12:23 to play.
 
A bucket and free throw from Kunkel later put the Tritons back on top at 19-15 with just under 10 minutes to play before another Drury run (13-2) over the next 4:32 gave the Panthers their largest lead of the half at 28-21.
 
Kunkel, making her first career start, equaled a career-best seven points, while also snagging five rebounds.
 
The Tritons shot 44.7 percent from the field and owned a 31-28 rebounding advantage, while Drury shot an even 50 percent. Smith pulled down eight boards and dished out three assists, while McGovern also recorded four assists.
 
UMSL closes out a three-game homestand on Thursday when the Tritons host Quincy on Pack the Stands night. Game time is set for 5:30 p.m.