SPRINGFIELD, MO. – The University of Missouri-St. Louis women's basketball team came within six points of No. 12 ranked Drury twice in the fourth quarter, but in the end the Panthers were able to prevail with a 73-59 victory in Great Lakes Valley Conference action.
 
After trailing by 16 points midway through the third quarter, UMSL outscored Drury, 13-6, in the final 6:26 to pull within 50-41 after three quarters played. Junior Shea O'Brien, who finished with 16 points, scored the Tritons' first five of the fourth quarter with her three-pointer trimming the deficit 50-44 and her two free throws making it 52-46 with 8:24 to play, but UMSL would get no closer. Drury closed the game on a 12-5 run, which included a stretch of 10 unanswered points.
 
The Tritons slip to 10-15 overall, including 5-12 in the GLVC. UMSL will close out the regular season on Thursday at Maryville. Drury improves to 22-3 overall, including 15-2 in the GLVC, clinching the West Division title outright. The Panthers also picked up their 12^th straight win and their 24^th straight at home.
 
UMSL shot 40.9 percent and went 17-of-19 (89.5 percent) at the free throw line, while Drury shot at 49 percent clip and held a 33-27 rebounding advantage.
 
Senior Kelly Kunkel added nine points and six rebounds, while redshirt sophomore Jordan Fletcher followed with eight points, on an 8-of-8 performance at the free throw line.
 
UMSL jumped out to an early 9-5 lead and trailed 17-15 after one quarter before Drury outscored the Tritons, 20-9, in the second quarter for a 37-24 cushion at the break.
 
The Panthers had five players in double figures, including three with 14 points each.