Box Score

OWENSBORO, KY. – The University of Missouri-St. Louis women's basketball team made it seven straight by closing out the non-conference portion of its schedule with an 80-61 win over Davis & Elkins at the Fairfield Inn Christmas Classic on Sunday afternoon, hosted by Kentucky Wesleyan.
 
Senior Devonna Smith recorded her third double-double of the season and the 20^th of her career with 20 points and 11 rebounds, while sophomore Kelly Kunkel scored a career-high 14 points off the bench after going 8-of-10 at the free throw line. Junior Alexis Lawrence also chipped in 14 points, connecting on 4-of-5 three-pointers.
 
UMSL improves to 8-1 overall with the win, its best start since the 1997-98 team. The Tritons finish their non-conference slate with a 7-1 mark. Davis & Elkins falls to 2-9 on the season.
 
UMSL used a 13-4 run in the final 3:35 of the first half to take a 50-35 lead into halftime and shot 44.6 percent from the field in the contest, while owning a 39-31 rebounding advantage.
 
The Tritons held Davis & Elkins to 33.3 percent shooting and forced 22 turnovers, resulting in 22 points on the other end.
 
Junior Kelly McGovern dished out a career-best eight assists and was one of three players with two steals.
 
UMSL returns to the court January 3 when it resumes play at McKendree in Great Lakes Valley Conference action.