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SETTING THE SCENE
The University of Missouri-St. Louis men's basketball team continues a five-game homestand this weekend, hosting Hannibal LaGrange on Friday night before a Sunday matinee against Missouri Valley at 1 p.m.

SIZING UP THE TRITONS
UMSL improved to 3-2 last Saturday with a 99-70 victory over Robert Morris-Springfield. All five starters are averaging double figures, led by junior Aareon Smith's 15.8 points per game. Junior Tylor Wimbish follows at 12.8 points per game. The duo also rank first and second in rebounding with Smith averaging 6.0 boards per game and Wimbish adding 5.8 caroms per contest. The Tritons are shooting 47.7 percent from the field, including 42 percent from three-point range, but are allowing opponents to shoot 49.1 percent from the floor.

LAST TIME OUT
Six players scored in double figures against Robert Morris-Springfield, led by senior Femi John's 21 points. UMSL led from start to finish and shot 60.6 percent in the first half, including 60 percent (6-of-10) from three-point range en route to a 52-35 halftime lead.

SCOUTING THE OPPONENTS
Hannibal LaGrange fell to 0-6 overall on Monday night with an 88-59 loss to Hope International. The Trojans, which will count the game against UMSL as an exhibition contest, are led by Neville Joseph's 14.5 points, 4.7 rebounds and 3.5 assists per game.The Trojans have played one other GLVC team this season, falling to Quincy, 88-58.

Missouri Valley enters a Tuesday night contest against Columbia College with a 6-2 record - the best start for the program since the beginning of the 2009-2010 season. The Viking defeated Hannibal LaGrange, 75-50, last Thursday in their last outing. Andre Scott averages 13.9 points and 1.9 steals per game, while Raviel Burton adds 9.3 points and tops the team with 7.9 rebounds and 3.1 blocks per game.

THE SERIES
UMSL and Hannibal LaGrange have never met on the hardwood in men's basketball, while the Tritons defeated Missouri Valley, 141-74, during the 1971-72 season. UMSL attempted 118 field goals that contest - a record that still stands, and recorded 31 assists - which ranks as the sixth best single game effort.

THE THREE BALL
UMSL set a single season record with 228 three-pointers last season, while shooting 37.7 percent. This year, the Tritons are connecting at a 42.0 percent mark from long range, which ranks third in the GLVC and 32nd in NCAA Division II. UMSL has 32 three-pointers, an average of 8.4 per game, which is fifth in the league.

Senior Michael Weber has a team-best 12 through five games this season.

TAKING CARE OF THE BALL
UMSL ranks fourth in the GLVC and 16th in NCAA Division II in assists/turnover margin with a ratio of 1.81. The Tritons have 96 assists, an average of 19.2 per game, and 56 turnovers, an average of 10.6. UMSL has recorded 20 or more assists in four of five games this season.

WELCOME TO MY BLOCK PARTY
UMSL has a GLVC-best 19 blocks this season, an average of 3.8 per game. Junior Tylor Wimbish owns a team-best five blocked shots.

AFTER THIS WEEKEND
The Tritons begin Great Lakes Valley Conference play against Maryville next Saturday at 3 p.m.