ST. LOUIS, MO. – Senior Alexis Lawrence tied a career-high 27 points, equaling a career-high seven three-pointers, as the University of Missouri-St. Louis women's basketball team collected an 80-59 win over Bellarmine on Saturday afternoon in a key Great Lakes Valley Conference contest.
 
The Tritons and Knights were two of six teams entering today's play with a league mark of 7-7 as teams fight for position in the upcoming GLVC Tournament. UMSL improves to 12-11 overall, including 8-7 in the GLVC. The Tritons are now one of five teams tied for second place in the West Division standings. Bellarmine slips to 12-11 and 7-8 in the league.
 
UMSL shot 55.4 percent in the win, including 63.3 percent in the second half in which the Tritons outscored Bellarmine, 48-32. Junior Amber Daly added 16 points and six assists, while redshirt freshman Jordan Fletcher came off the bench to record 15 points and eight rebounds, shooting 7-of-9 from the field.
 
UMSL limited Bellarmine to 38.9 percent shooting and owned a 42-22 rebounding advantage, including a 20-14 edge on the offensive end, outscoring the Knights, 27-13 in second chance points. Bellarmine was able to capitalize on 17 UMSL turnovers, holding a 21-10 edge in points off turnovers.
 
UMSL closed out the first half with an 11-3 run over the final five minutes to take a 32-27 lead into halftime. Lawrence scored seven of her 16 first half points during that stretch. The first half saw 10 score ties and nine lead changes.
 
The Tritons then scored six straight to open the second half and outscored the Knights, 13-2, in the first four minutes to take a 45-29 lead and  never looked back.
 
UMSL recorded 16 assists on 31 field goals and went 9-of-15 (60 percent) from three-point range. Senior Kelly McGovern finished with eight points, seven rebounds and five steals.
 
The Tritons return to action next Thursday, hosting Quincy at 5:30 p.m. on Pack the Stands night.
 
TRITON TIDBITS: UMSL improved to 8-2 at home this season… Alexis Lawrence has 16 games this season of three or more three-pointers made… Lawrence improved her season total to 73 three-pointers, tying the fourth most in a single season… UMSL improves to 3-7 on games played on Valentine's Day, winning three straight on February 14… UMSL improves to 9-20 all-time against Bellarmine and has won three straight and four of the last five... UMSL clinched a spot in the GLVC Tournament with today's win.