PEORIA, ILL. – The University of Missouri-St. Louis women's basketball team outscored NCAA Division I opponent Bradley, 42-35, in the second half but suffered a 78-65 loss in exhibition play on Saturday.
 
UMSL now turns its attention to the regular season, where it will tip off its 42^nd season of intercollegiate play next Saturday at home, hosting NAIA opponent Georgetown College. Game time is set for 5 p.m.
 
Senior Kelly Kunkel led UMSL with 21 points and five rebounds, while junior transfer Robneisha Lee added 17 points and four rebounds. The duo combined to go 17-of-18 at the free throw line, with Lee netting all eight attempts and Kunkel going 11-of-12, as the Tritons were 24-of-27 (.889) at the charity strip in the game.
 
The Braves took a 43-23 lead into halftime after posting a 24-14 advantage at the end of the first quarter, closing with a 12-2 run.
 
Lee netted 11 of her points in the third quarter in which the Tritons outscored the Braves, 22-20. UMSL also outscored Bradley, 20-15, in the final quarter.
 
The Tritons turned the ball over 15 times in the opening 20 minutes and were limited to 28 percent shooting, but had just four turnovers in the final half and finished the contest shooting 34.7 percent.
 
Bradley connected at a 50 percent clip, including 47.1 percent from three-point range (8-of-17), and owned a 35-27 rebounding advantage. The Braves also committed 19 turnovers.
 
Kunkel also led the squad with three assists and collected two steals, while Lee tallied three steals and four rebounds.