Box Score

ST. LOUIS, MO. – Senior Femi John recorded 24 points, nine rebounds and three steals to help the University of Missouri-St. Louis men's basketball team to a 74-69 victory over crosstown rival Maryville on Saturday afternoon in the Great Lakes Valley Conference opener for both teams.
 
The Tritons picked up their fourth straight win with the victory, moving to 6-2 overall, including 1-0 in the GLVC. Maryville slips to 4-3 and 0-1 in the league.
 
The win didn't come without a fight from the Saints, who outscored UMSL, 46-34, in the final half after shooting 68 percent, including 58.3 percent (7-of-12) from three-point range.
 
The Tritons took a 40-23 lead into halftime and held a 20-point lead twice in the second half, including 49-29 advantage with 14:34 to play. But after senior Darian Cartharn's layup put the Tritons ahead 59-40 with 9:11 to play, the Saints slowly began chipping away and pulled within 70-67 with 37 seconds remaining. However, a steal by John, followed by a pair of free throws, with 21 seconds to play helped seal the victory.
 
Maryville, which shot 48.9 percent in the game after a 27.3 percent first half outing, was 10-of-14 from the floor in the final 8:51, including 4-of-6 from long range.
 
The Tritons shot 44 percent from the field and owned a 38-28 rebounding advantage, including a 14-6 edge on the offensive end. UMSL outscored the Saints, 18-4, in second chance points.
 
Junior Aareon Smith added 13 points and eight rebounds, while Cartharn followed with 12 points and six boards. Senior Michael Weber chipped in 11 points.
 
UMSL returns to the court Wednesday, Dec. 18 following a break for final exams to host Culver-Stockton in the final nonconference contest. Tip-off is set for 7:30 p.m.
 
TRITON TIDBITS: UMSL improved to 6-12 in GLVC openers, including 3-5 at home… the win snapped a two-game losing streak to the Saints and UMSL is now 14-2 all-time against Maryville… the Tritons remain perfect at home with a 5-0 record… the win was also the seventh straight home court victory dating back to last season… the Tritons were picked to finish third in the GLVC West Division Preseason Coaches Poll, while Maryville was tabbed second.