ST. CHARLES, MO. – Junior Brandon Marquardt scored 14 of his 16 points in the second half to help the University of Missouri-St. Louis men's basketball team to an 83-77 win at Lindenwood on Wednesday night. With the win, the Tritons move to 7-0 for the first time in program history.
 
Marquardt, a Lindenwood transfer, scored eight points during a 12-2 run late in the game that turned a 61-60 deficit into a 72-63 lead with 4:26 to play. Marquardt finished 6-of-8 from the field, including 2-of-2 from three-point range, as the Tritons shot 55.2 percent in the win, including 60.7 percent in the second half.
 
Lindenwood (4-5) connected at an even 60 percent, while suffering its third straight loss. The Lions shot 65.8 percent in the final 20 minutes.
 
Senior Aareon Smith led UMSL with 19 points and 10 rebounds, his third double-double of the season, while senior Derek Shouse (14 points) and junior Kevin Swanson (10 points) also scored in double figures.
 
UMSL was just 1-of-7 from the field to start the game but then drained three straight three-pointers to take a 12-11 lead at the 12:26 mark on sophomore Alex Majewski's long ball. The Lions followed with nine unanswered for a 20-12 advantage before the Tritons answered back with a 10-2 run to knot the score at 22-22 just under the seven minute mark. Shouse netted two three-pointers during that run, while Smith added two buckets. After a quick five points from Lindenwood, UMSL closed out the half by outscoring the Lions, 16-5, to take a 38-32 lead at the half, including Marquardt's lay-in as time expired.
 
Lindenwood opened the second half with an 11-6 run over the first four and a half minutes to pull within 44-43. Shouse followed with a three-pointer and Marquardt scored six straight to cap a 9-2 run as UMSL took a 53-45 lead at the 14:11 mark. Lindenwood then scored 10 straight, taking a 55-53 lead with 11:06 to play. Both teams traded leads until Marquardt's three-pointer at the 7:39 mark gave the Tritons a lead they would not relinquish.
 
UMSL owned a slim 27-26 rebounding edge and outscored the Lions, 19-9, on points off turnovers. Junior Derek Williams dished out three assists, while Marquardt collected two steals. Swanson blocked three shots.
 
UMSL returns home on Saturday to host MacMurray College as it closes out the home portion of its non-conference schedule. Game time is set for 3 p.m.
 
TRITON TIDBITS: UMSL improves to 6-1 all-time against Lindenwood… the two schools were meeting for the first time since the 2004-05 season… UMSL recorded 12 three-pointers, marking its fourth straight game in double digits… the Tritons also had just six turnovers, the fourth straight game in single digits… this was the first true road game for UMSL this season.