ST. LOUIS, MO. – Junior D.J. White recorded 12 points and 10 rebounds to help the University of Missouri-St. Louis men's basketball team to a 57-51 victory over Missouri Western on Saturday afternoon during the Marriott St. Louis Airport Classic, hosted by the Tritons.
 
Junior Steven Davis added 12 points, while senior Hunter Reine followed with 10 points and six rebounds as UMSL improves to 4-3 overall. Missouri Western slips to 1-5.
 
The Tritons shot 57.9 percent in the second half to fend off the Griffons. The Tritons clung to a 30-28 halftime lead after taking their largest lead of the game at 26-17 on a pair of free throws from White. Missouri Western trimmed the deficit with seven unanswered over the final 2:44.
 
The visitors tied the contest four times in the second half, but never pulled in front. After the Griffons knotted the score at 41-41, freshman Kobe Wands knocked in a three-pointer for a 44-41 lead with 12:09 to play that UMSL never let go of. Wands finished with three three-pointers for nine points.
 
Senior Joseph English and junior Elijah Watson each dished out four assists.
 
UMSL owned a 31-27 rebounding advantage, while Missouri Western shot 43.1 percent and got a game-high 16 points from junior guard Cole Clearman.
 
The Tritons return to the court Thursday at Drury in their GLVC opener.