FORT LAUDERDALE, FLA. – The University of Missouri-St. Louis men's basketball team suffered its first loss of the season on Saturday in a 67-59 setback to West Texas A&M in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., on the campus of Nova Southeastern.
 
The Tritons fall to 8-1 overall, while West Texas A&M, which picked up its fourth straight win, improves to 7-4.
 
UMSL, which came into the game averaging nearly 11 three-pointers made per contest, finished just 3-of-17 from beyond the arc, and shot 35.2 percent from the field.
 
Senior Aareon Smith led the Tritons with 18 points and 14 rebounds, while senior Tylor Wimbish added 12 points and 12 rebounds in his first game of the season. UMSL outrebounded West Texas A&M, 44-37.
 
The Buffs held on to a 27-25 halftime lead. After West Texas A&M posted a 21-10 lead, the Tritons used a 13-1 run to go ahead 23-22 on senior Neil Branham's bucket at the 3:00 minute mark.
 
The Buffs then used a 10-2 run midway through the second half to grab a 46-27 advantage with 11:45 to play before UMSL stormed back to within four, making it a 52-48 game as the under eight minute media timeout approached. However, West Texas A&M answered with a lay-up and a three-point basket to go ahead nine points at 57-48.
 
The second of two free throws by junior Tre Ogles brought the Tritons within 61-58 with 1:27 to play, but the Buffs sealed the game by going 6-of-10 at the free throw line in the final minute.
 
UMSL, which had only four assists on 19 field goals, committed just 10 turnovers, but West Texas A&M took advantage, outscoring the Tritons, 17-5, in points off turnovers.
 
The Tritons will close out their non-conference schedule tomorrow at Nova Southeastern at 1 p.m. (EST).