ST. LOUIS, MO., February 26, 2015 – Despite 26 points from senior Aareon Smith and 24 points from senior Tylor Wimbish, the University of Missouri-St. Louis men's basketball team was unable to overcome Maryville as the Saints posted an 81-67 victory Thursday night in the regular season finale.
 
Maryville connected at a 55.8 percent clip, including 47.6 percent (10-of-21) from three-point range.
 
UMSL ends the regular season at 18-10 overall, including 10-8 in the GLVC. The Tritons will have to little time to dwell on the loss as they now turn their attention to the GLVC Tournament, which begins Sunday. UMSL will be the No. 8 seed and will host No. 9 seed William Jewell at 3 p.m. The Cardinals defeated the Tritons, 69-60, earlier this season in Liberty, Mo.
 
Maryville snapped an eight-game losing streak with the win and improves to 11-16 and 6-12 in the GLVC.
 
The Saints took a 38-28 lead into halftime, ending the first half on a 10-2 run, as UMSL shot just 35.7 percent, missing its final five shot attempts.
 
Maryville put the lead into double figures 1:23 into the second half, taking a 44-33 lead before six straight points from Wimbish cut the deficit to 44-39. The Saints followed with five straight before UMSL pulled within five again at 52-47, but a 10-4 Maryville pushed the lead back to double figures at 62-51 with 7:12 to play.
 
The Saints took their largest lead of the game at 71-55 with 3:32 on the clock before UMSL followed with a 12-5 run, pulling within 76-67 with 1:24 to play. However, they would get no closer as Maryville finished the game 5-of-8 at the free throw line to secure the win.
 
UMSL finished the game shooting 48.1 percent, including 61.5 percent in the second half and held a slim 28-27 rebounding advantage. The Tritons outscored Maryville, 13-2, in second chance points on a 9-7 offensive rebounds advantage.
 
Wimbish was 11-of-14 from the field, while Smith was 8-of-16 and 8-of-8 at the free throw line. Both players pulled down five rebounds. Freshman Max Cook dished out seven assists, while junior Derek Williams tallied four.
 
TRITON TIDBITS: Tonight's contest marked the final regular season home game for seniors Neil Branham, Derek Shouse, Aareon Smith and Tylor Wimbish… UMSL is 17-3 all-time against Maryville and had a three-game winning streak in the series snapped… the Tritons fall to 10-4 at home this season.