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SETTING THE SCENE
The University of Missouri-St. Louis men's basketball team closes out a five-game homestand by hosting NAIA member Culver Stockton on Wednesday night. The Tritons, winners of four straight, return to the court following a 10-day layoff for final exams. This contest also marks the final nonconference game of the season for UMSL. The Tritons are 5-2 in non-league games.

THE SERIES
UMSL has won all four previous meetings with Culver Stockton, including a 92-77 victory in last year's meeting.

SCOUTING THE OPPONENTS
Culver Stockton, ranked No. 18 in the NAIA, is 9-1 overall and is coming off a 106-74 exhibition loss at Central Missouri on Monday. James Johnson leads five Wildcats averaging in double figures at 17.6 points per game, while Jonathan Miller averages 13.6 points per contest.

SIZING UP THE TRITONS
UMSL improved to 6-2 overall, while beginning the GLVC 1-0 with a 74-69 victory over Maryville on December 7 in its last outing. Four players are averaging double figures, led by junior Aareon Smith's 14.8 points per game. Smith also tops the squad with 7.1 rebounds per game. Seniors Michael Weber and Femi John each add 12.5 points per game.
 
AN UMSL WIN AGAINST CULVER STOCKTON WOULD...
... keep the Tritons perfect at home this season with a 6-0 record.
... move the Tritons to 5-0 all-time against Culver Stockton.
... be the eighth straight home victory dating back to last season.
... be the 18th straight nonconference home court victory.
... give the Tritons a 6-2 non-conference record for the 2013-14 season.

LAST TIME OUT
Senior Femi John recorded 24 points, nine rebounds and three steals in the win over Maryville. The Tritons took a 40-23 lead into halftime and held a 20-point lead twice in the second half, but were forced to hang on for the win after a late Saints run. Maryville was 10-of-14 from the floor in the final 8:51, including 4-of-6 from long range, and trimmed the deficit to 70-67 with 37 seconds to play.

HOME SWEET HOME
UMSL owns a 346-207 (.626) 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 was 11-4 on its home floor last season and is off to a 5-0 start at home this season.

HOME SWEET HOME... PART II
UMSL has won 17 straight non-conference games at home since the start of the 2010-11 season. It's last non-league loss came on December 21, 2009 in a 63-48 setback to Christian Brothers.

UMSL is connecting at a 41.8 percent mark from long range, which ranks third in the GLVC and 25th in NCAA Division II. The Tritons have drained 66 three-pointers, an average of 8.3 per game, which is fourth in the league.

Senior Michael Weber has a team-best 24 long balls - more than half of what he made last season (42). He is shooting 49 percent from beyond the arc, tied for fifth in the GLVC.

TAKING CARE OF THE BALL
UMSL ranks fifth in the GLVC and 17th in NCAA Division II in assists/turnover margin with a ratio of 1.63. The Tritons have 140 assists, an average of 17.5 per game, and 87 turnovers, an average of 10.9. UMSL has recorded 20 or more assists in four of seven games this season.

WELCOME TO MY BLOCK PARTY
UMSL ranks third in the GLVC with an average of 3.50 per game. Junior Tylor Wimbish owns a team-best nine blocked shots.

LOOKING AHEAD
UMSL returns to GLVC play in the New Year, traveling to McKendree on January 3.