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SETTING THE SCENE
While the full GLVC schedule doesn't get underway until January, UMSL will get a brief preview over the next two weeks with its first three home conference games. The Tritons welcome sixth-ranked Drury on Thursday in the official league opener and will also host Missouri S&T on Saturday.

TRITONS IN GLVC OPENERS
UMSL is 3-15 in GLVC openers and defeated Illinois Springfield, 54-35, in last year's lid-lifter at home. The Tritons are opening their GLVC schedule at home for the fourth straight year.

THE GLVC PRESEASON POLL
UMSL was picked to finish fourth in the GLVC West Division Preseason Coaches Poll, while defending GLVC Champion Drury was the unanimous pick by the coaches to win the West Division. Quincy garnered second place in the poll, while Truman State was tabbed fourth with Maryville (fifth), William Jewell (sixth), Rockhurst (seventh) and Missouri S&T (eighth) rounding out the field.

Lewis was the favorite in the East Division, while Wisconsin-Parkside was selected second. Southern Indiana (third), Bellarmine (fourth) and Indianapolis (fifth) were followed, while Saint Joseph's, Illinois Springfield and McKendree rounded out the poll.

TRITONS AT HOME
UMSL is 2-1 at home this season and under Katie Vaughn is 31-10 in the Mark Twain Building. They were 10-3 at home last season.

SIZING UP THE TRITONS
UMSL improved to 3-3 overall last Saturday with a 74-59 win over previously undefeated Findlay. The Tritons outscored their guests, 41-23, in the second half to garner the win. Three players average double figures, including senior Kelly Kunkel, who owns a team-best 13.2 scoring average. She also tops the quad with 5.2 rebounds and 4.0 assists per game. Junior Robneisha Lee follows with 11.7 points per game, while junior Sydney Bloch adds 11.0 points per game. Lee (16) and Bloch (17) also lead the team in steals.

TRITON TRENDS
- Leading scorer Kelly Kunkel has only reached double figures in one of her last three games, but is averaging 5.3 assists per game during that stretch.
- Junior Robneisha Lee is coming off a season-best six assists against Findlay.
- Junior Sydney Bloch is 13-of-14 at the free throw line with her only miss coming on her first attempt of the year in the season opener against Georgetown College. She has made 13 straight since.
- Junior Simone Gillum is 10-of-13 (.769) from the field in her last two games. She is coming off a season-best 14 points against Findlay - all of which came in the second half.

SCOUTING THE OPPONENTS
Drury, ranked sixth nationally, is one of three unbeaten teams in the GLVC with a 5-0 mark. The Panthers are coming off three home wins last week, including a 102-64 victory over Trevecca Nazarene in which they made a school-record 17 three-pointers. Drury is averaging 10.2 three-pointers per game and is shooting an NCAA DII-best 51.2 percent from beyond the arc. Alice Heinzler averages 15.4 points and 3.0 steals per game and has made 18 long balls, while Annie Armstrong is follows with 14.8 points and 17 three-pointers, ranking seventh nationally with a 63 percent shooting mark from three-point distance.

Missouri S&T enters a Thursday contest at home against Maryville with a 2-2 overall mark. Bria Pierce leads the Lady Miners with 11.7 points and 7.3 rebounds per game, while Raetchel Gray adds 11.3 and 4.8 assists per game. Missouri S&T has 54 steals on the season and ranks second in the GLVC with an average of 13.5 per game.

SERIES HISTORIES
The Tritons have won just once in 21 games against Drury - a 58-56 decision in St. Louis during the 2012-13 season. The Panthers won last year's lone meeting, a 66-48 victory in St. Louis.

Missouri S&T leads the all-time series, 37-19. The Tritons won last year's contest, a 74-49 decision, in Rolla, Mo.

UP NEXT
UMSL wraps up a three-game homestand next Saturday, hosting crosstown rival Maryville in GLVC play at 1 p.m.