ALLENDALE, MICH. – The University of Missouri-St. Louis men's basketball team opened the 2015-16 season with an 80-55 loss to Ferris State on Saturday at the GLVC/GLIAC Challenge, hosted by Grand Valley State.
 
The Bulldogs, an NCAA Tournament team from a year ago, shot 47.1 percent in the win and owned a 50-29 rebounding advantage, outscoring the Tritons, 23-6, in second chance points.
 
UMSL connected at 37.7 percent mark, including 42.9 percent in the second half.
 
Senior Brandon Marquardt came off the bench to score nine points in nine minutes on 3-of-4 shooting from three-point range, while junior Joseph English added eight points, six assists and two steals. 11 UMSL players got in the scoring column with seven contributing at least five points. Junior Alex Majewski and sophomore Drew Skaggs each pulled down five rebounds.
 
Ferris State scored seven straight early for a quick 11-4 advantage and later used a 12-1 run to extend the lead to 30-11 with 5:34 on the clock before taking a 41-18 halftime lead.
 
UMSL wraps up play in the GLVC/GLIAC Challenge tomorrow against host Grand Valley State.