SETTING THE SCENE
UMSL tips off its 43rd season of intercollegiate play on Friday and Saturday at the Pops Duncan Classic, hosted by Trevecca Nazarene, in Nasvhille, Tenn. The Tritons meet in the host school in the season opener on Friday before facing Kentucky Wesleyan on Saturday.

UMSL IN SEASON OPENERS
In the previous 42 season openers, the Tritons have posted a record of 28-14. UMSL opened last season with a 79-55 home victory over Georgetown College. The Tritons are 3-1 in season openers under ffith-year head coach Katie Vaughn.

SIZING UP THE TRITONS
UMSL is coming off an 11-16 record during the 2015-16 season, which included a 6-12 Great Lakes Valley Conference mark. The Tritons reached their sixth straight GLVC Tournament and are tabbed to finish fifth in the league's West Division in the preseason poll following a vote of the coaches. Six players return from that squad, while Vaughn also welcomes seven newcomers to the mix.

SCOUTING THE OPPONENTS
Trevecca Nazarene went 9-17 last season and is under the direction of first-year head coach Chad Hibdon. Senior forward Sarah Raby  is the top returner, having averaged 12.0 points and 7.1 rebounds per game last season. The Trojans are coming off a 46-41 exhibition win over Midland last Saturday.

Kentucky Wesleyan was 17-10 a year ago and returns seven letterwinners, including three starters from that team, which is under the direction of co-head coaches Caleb and Nicole Nieman in their seventh season. Senior guard Brittany Wells is the top returner, having averaged 12.5 points, 2.8 rebounds and 1.5 steals per game. The Panthers are coming off a 69-59 exhibition loss to Ausin Peay.

SERIES RECORDS
UMSL and Trevecca have had two other previous meetings with the Tritons winning in St. Louis during the 2014-15 season, 62-47, and the Trojans winning, 71-67, during the 2013-14 season in Nashville.

Kentucky Wesleyan holds a slim 15-14 advantage in the all-time series between the former GLVC foes. The two met last season with the Panthers posting a 74-68 home win. This will be the first meeting between the two teams this season as Kentucky Wesleyan will visit St. Louis December 10.

A LOOK AT THE 2016-17 SCHEDULE
UMSL will play a 26-game schedule, not including an additional two exhibition games (at UMKC on Dec. 7 and at SIUE on Dec. 11)... the Tritons will play eight non-conference games with just three of those at home... UMSL ends the season with five straight home games... the schedule also features 18 GLVC games... three opponents (Bellarmine, No. 9; Lewis, No. 20; and Arkansas Tech, No. 25) are ranked in the WBCA DII Preseason Top 25, while Drury, an opponent the Tritons play twice, is receiving votes... five opponents (Arkansas Tech, Drury, Quincy, Lewis and Bellarmine) were all NCAA DII Tournament participants last year... UMSL

UP NEXT
UMSL travels to Lincoln next Friday night.