ST. LOUIS, MO. – Senior Aareon Smith poured in a career-high 28 points and made two free throws with 4.6 seconds on the clock to give the University of Missouri-St. Louis men's basketball team a 65-63 win over Quincy on Thursday night in Great Lakes Valley Conference action.
 
Smith scored 20 of his points in the second half and went 10-of-18 from the field and 7-of-8 from the free throw line as the Tritons improve to 17-9 overall, including 9-7 in the GLVC. Quincy slips to 12-14 and 6-10 in the league.
 
The game featured 14 ties and 15 lead changes and was tied for 10:25, while UMSL led for just 12:27 compared to Quincy, which led for 17:05.
 
Senior Tylor Wimbish added 18 points, while sophomore Alex Majewski scored all 10 of his points in the first half.
 
Quincy took a 61-57 lead on the second of two free throws at the 2:49 mark, but Smith would score the next four points, including two on a pair of free throws with 1:25 on the clock that knotted the score at 61-61. The Hawks turned the ball over on the ensuing possession with Majewski collecting the steal before Wimbish's jumper in the paint put the Tritons on top, 63-61, with 39 seconds remaining. Quincy's Godson Eneogwe then slammed home an offensive rebound for the Hawks to tie the score once again, but he would foul out on the other end while trying to defend Smith, who drove down the middle.

The Hawks had a good look at the game-winner, but the three-point attempt went off the back iron.
 
UMSL shot 43.1 percent from the field despite a rare dismal three-point shooting night (4-of-19, 21.1 percent). The Tritons also owned a 36-31 rebounding advantage. Quincy shot 44.6 percent after a 51.9 percent first half outing.
 
UMSL owned a 38-34 halftime lead after trailing by seven three times in the first half, including at 18-11, before reeling off nine unanswered to post a 20-18 lead with 7:35 on the clock.
 
Majewski pulled down a team-best eight rebounds, while junior Brandon Marquardt dished out three assists and collected three steals.
 
UMSL returns to action on Saturday with its final regular season road game at Truman State in a 3 p.m. start.
 
TRITON TIDBITS: UMSL snapped a three-game home losing streak and improved to 10-3 at home this season…  the win by the Tritons avenged an 81-64 loss at Quincy earlier this season… the Hawks lead the all-time series, 38-24… UMSL has recorded at least 17 wins for the third time in the last four years… senior Aareon Smith moved into 17^th place all-time on the career scoring list with 976 career points… senior Tylor Wimbish has averaged 20.5 points per game in four career contests against Quincy.