SETTING THE SCENEUMSL opens the new year by hosting Truman State in its final nonconference game - the Tritons and Bulldogs will meet in GLVC play on January 21 in Kirksville, Mo. UMSL will be looking to build on its current two-game win streak and finish nonconference play with a 5-3 record.
SIZING UP THE TRITONSUMSL has been idle since a 63-33 win at Missouri Valley on December 19 that evened its ledger at 5-5. The Tritons owned a 15-10 lead after the first quarter, but used a 22-5 advantage in the second quarter to post a 37-15 cushion at the break. Redshirt sophomore
Jordan Fletcher scored a season-best 14 points, while seniors
Amber Daly (12 points) and
Kelly Kunkel (11 points) also scored in double figures.
Kunkel leads the squad with averages of 12.8 points and 4.9 rebounds per game, while Daly is averaging 10.0 points, 4.7 rebounds and 4.7 assists per game. Junior
Robneisha Lee adds 10.7 points and 4.4 rebounds per game.
SCOUTING THE OPPONENTSTruman State is 8-4 overall and has won three of its last four games. Michalina Tomczak averages 12.3 points, 6.2 rebounds and 2.4 blocks per game. Defensively, the Bulldogs lead the GLVC in scoring defense, allowing just 51.2 points per game, and also rank first in field goal percentage defense as opponents shoot 33.6 percent. Truman State also tops the league in rebounding margin (+9.3) and blocked shots (3.83).
SERIES HISTORYUMSL is 15-18 all-time against Truman State. The two teams split last season, each winning on its home court. The Tritons posted a 70-56 win in St. Louis on January 15, while the Bulldogs claimed a 58-53 victory in Kirksville on February 21.
UP NEXTUMSL returns to GLVC play next weekend, traveling to Saint Joseph's on Thursday and Indianapolis on Saturday.
