ST. LOUIS, MO. – The University of Missouri-St. Louis men's basketball team saw visiting East Central shoot 62.5 percent in the second half in a 72-46 loss Friday afternoon during the Marriott St. Louis Airport Classic, hosted by the Tritons.
 
The Tigers finished the game shooting an even 51 percent, while UMSL was limited to 30.2 percent shooting, including just 22.7 percent in the final 20 minutes.
 
UMSL slips to 3-3 overall, while East Central picked up its first win of the year, improving to 1-4.
 
The Tritons also committed 24 turnovers, leading to 25 points on the end for the Tigers.
 
East Central jumped out to a 7-0 advantage and built its lead to 31-11 with 4:10 to play as UMSL struggled offensively, netting just two of its first 13 attempts. The Tritons closed the half with a 14-6 run, pulling within 37-25 at the break.
 
A string of seven unanswered points by UMSL early in the second half pulled the Tritons within 43-35, but the Tigers followed with10 straight for a 53-34 lead with 11:12 to play.
 
Senior Joseph English scored a team-high eight points, while junior Elijah Watson added seven points and pulled down five rebounds. UMSL owned a 33-24 rebounding advantage, including a 13-5 edge on the offensive end and outscored their guests, 9-0, in second chance points.
 
UMSL will host Missouri Western tomorrow at 3 p.m. in its final game of the Marriott St. Louis Airport Classic.