SETTING THE SCENE
UMSL will close out its non-conference schedule with two games in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., this weekend. The Tritons will face West Texas A&M on Saturday in a neutral site game before taking on Nova Southeastern on Sunday on its home floor. The Tritons are one of 16 NCAA DII teams still unbeaten and just one of two in the GLVC, including Indianapolis. With an 8-0 record, UMSL is off to its best start in program history.

LAST TIME OUT
UMSL is coming off a 103-65 win over MacMurray College last Saturday. The Tritons shot 60.7 percent as a team, including 57.7 percent from beyond the arc, connecting on 15-of-26 long balls, and were led by junior Tre Ogles's 30 points off the bench.

STREAKING
- UMSL has recorded double-digit made three-pointers in the last five games (12, 15, 18, 12, 15)
- The Tritons have shot better than 50 percent from the field in the last four contests.
- UMSL has scored more than 80 points in the last five games.

ECLIPSING 100
UMSL went over the 100-point plateau for the third time this season in its last outing, marking the second straight year the Tritons have scored more than 100 points in a game three times in a season.

STATISTICALLY SPEAKING
Senior Aareon Smith averages team-bests of 15.3 points and 8.5 rebounds per game, while junior Tre Ogles follows with 12.0 points per game. Junior Kevin Swanson adds 11.1 points and 4.4 rebounds per game, while freshman Max Cook and junior Derek Williams are averaging 3.0 assists per game. Williams and senior Derek Shouse each own a team-high 10 steals, while Shouse leads the team with 15 three-point baskets.  

DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
UMSL leads the GLVC in scoring defense, allowing just 60.0 points per game. They entered the week ranking ninth in NCAA DII in that category as well.

ASSIST-TURNOVER
UMSL leads all of NCAA DII in assist to turnover ratio at 2.26. The Tritons are averaging just 8.1 turnovers per game - which also leads both the GLVC and NCAA DII, and are 17th nationally with 18.4 assists per game.

FROM THREE-POINT RANGE
The Tritons have netted 87 three-point buckets, an average of 10.9 per game, which leads the GLVC and ranks 10th in NCAA DII. Senior Derek Shouse has each drained a team-high 15 treys, while seven players have made at least eight this season. The Tritons are shooting 43.3 percent from beyond the arc, which ranks second in the GLVC and 15th in NCAA DII.

FRESHMAN ORIENTATION
Freshman Max Cook has 24 assists (3.0 apg) and just two turnovers for an assist-turnover ratio of 12.0, which ranks second in NCAA DII.

WITH ITS NEXT WIN...
... UMSL head coach Bob Sundvold will win his 150th career game, including his 25th at UMSL

SCOUTING THE OPPONENTS
West Texas A&M enters a Thursday game at Nova Southeastern with a 5-4 record, but the Buffs have won five of their last six outings. Tez Dumars leads four players in double figures with 18.2 points per game, while Antjuan Ball adds 14.2 points and 8.2 rebounds per game.

Nova Southeastern hosts West Texas A&M on Thursday. The Sharks had a three-game win streak snapped in a 75-55 loss to Midwestern State in their last outing. Nova Southeastern, which is 4-2, at home, is led by Chris Page's 20.3 points and 4.0 assists per game.

SERIES HISTORIES
UMSL won the only other meeting against West Texas A&M, an 81-64 victory on Nov. 21, 2009, in a tournament hosted by Southwestern Oklahoma State.

UMSL has never faced Nova Southeastern.  

UP NEXT
UMSL begins GLVC play at home on January 2 (Friday), hosting Illinois Springfield. The Tritons will also entertain McKendree on January 4 (Sunday).