Box Score

NASHVILLE, TENN. – The University of Missouri-St. Louis women's basketball team used a 16-2 run to open the second half en route to a 71-57 victory over Grand Valley State on Saturday afternoon at the Pops Duncan Classic, hosted by Trevecca Nazarene.
 
Senior Jessica Zavoral scored 19 points to lead the Tritons, which improved to 2-1, while seniors Hazaria Washington and Devonna Smith added 14 and 13 points, respectively. Washington netted nine of her points during the run to open the second half and finished the game 8-of-8 at the free throw line. The Tritons connected on 18-of-19 free throws as a team.
 
The Lakers followed UMSL's run with a 9-2 spurt, pulling within 52-46 on Dani Crandall's jumper with 8:42 to play, but Smith scored the next four for the Tritons, pushing the lead back to double figures.
 
UMSL shot 43.6 percent from the field and held Grand Valley State to 35.7 percent shooting, including just 32.1 percent in the final 20 minutes, in which they scored only 22 points.
 
Both teams pulled down 36 rebounds. Zavoral and senior Alyssa Like each pulled down six rebounds for the Tritons, while Zavoral also dished out three assists.
 
UMSL raced out to an early 10-point advantage, taking a 17-7 lead 5:30 into the game on a Sydney Bloch three-pointer. Then after Tierra Snow made it 27-17 with a jumper in the paint at the 7:34 mark, the Lakers went on a 16-5 run, taking their first lead of the game at 33-32 on a pair of Janelle McQueen free throws with 1:11 on the clock. Both teams added one more basket in the final 17 seconds making it 35-34 Grand Valley State at the break.
 
UMSL returns to action next Friday and Saturday, hosting the Hilton Holiday Classic. The Tritons entertain Harris-Stowe on Friday and Missouri Baptist on Saturday. Both games are slated for 3 p.m. tip-offs.