SETTING THE SCENE
UMSL returns to the road this weekend, traveling to Truman State on Thursday and to No. 18 ranked Quincy on Saturday in a pair of GLVC divisional games.

SIZING UP THE TRITONS
UMSL is 7-8 overall, including 2-5 in the GLVC. The Tritons split their games last weekend, defeating Wisconsin-Parkside, 67-61, on Thursday night at home, before falling to No. 8 ranked and visiting Lewis, 59-45. Senior Kelly Kunkel averaged 14.0 points per game, scoring 18 in the win as UMSL shot a season-best 50.9 percent from the floor. The Tritons owned a two-point lead over the Flyers on Saturday midway through the third quarter, but shot just 21.4 percent in the final 10 minutes as Lewis ended the game on a 12-2 run.

Kunkel is averaging team-bests of 12.3 points and 5.1 rebounds per game, while redshirt sophomore Jordan Fletcher follows with 9.7 points and 4.5 rebounds per game. Fletcher also tops the squad in shooting percentage (61.5 percent) and blocked shots (15).

Senior Amber Daly and junior Sydney Bloch both average 3.5 assists per game, while Bloch averages a team-best 2.1 steals per game.

SCOUTING THE OPPONENTS
Truman State is 11-6 overall, including 5-2 in the GLVC. The Bulldogs have won three of their last four games and sit in a tie for second place in the West Division standings. The Bulldogs, which are 6-3 at home, are led by Michalina Tomczak's 11.2 points, 6.5 rebounds  and 2.2 blocks per game. In GLVC-only games, Truman State ranks second in scoring defense, allowing just 57.6 points per game. They lead the league with 4.71 blocks per game in conference-only contests.

Quincy, ranked No. 18 in this week's USA Today Sports Top 25 DII Coaches Poll, enters a Thursday home game against Maryville with a 15-1 overall record. The Hawks, winners of seven straight, are also 6-1 in the GLVC and sit atop the West Division standings. Three players average double figures in scoring, incluidng Maggie Cunningham (12.3 ppg), who also averages 5.1 rebounds, 4.8 assists and 2.1 steals per game. Anika Webster follows with 11.1 points and 5.8 rebounds per game. Quincy averages 73.0 points per game in GLVC games and is shooting 44.1 percent from the field.

SERIES HISTORIES
UMSL is 16-18 all-time against Truman State and defeated the Bulldogs, 61-60 in double overtime, January 2 in non-conference play in St. Louis. The Tritons took their largest lead of the game at 37-25 on a pair of Amber Daly free throws with 3:06 to play in the third quarter before Truman closed out the frame with an 13-4 run, pulling within 41-38. The Bulldogs knotted the score at 47-47 midway through the fourth quarter and then again at 50-50 with 2:16 to score. Neither team was able to score again, forcing the first overtime. Both teams scored just four points in the first extra frame, while UMSL outscored the Bulldogs, 7-6, in the final extra five minutes. Redshirt sophomore Jordan Fletcher hit the first of two free throws with 1:37 to play in the second overtime for the lead and the final score.

The two teams have split their series each of the last two years. Each team won at home last season.

Quincy leads the all-time series, 31-21. UMSL split with the Hawks last season, posting an 80-75 overtime victory at home, while Quincy earned an 80-73 win on its homecourt.

UP NEXT
UMSL opens a four-game homestand next weekend, hosting William Jewell on Thursday and Rockhurst on Saturday.