SETTING THE SCENE
The regular season commences on Thursday for the Tritons, who travel across town to Maryville with a GLVC Tournament berth on the line. A win by UMSL, coupled with a loss by William Jewell to Rockhurst, would secure the bid as the No. 12 seed in the field. First round games begin Sunday as seeds five through eight will host seeds seven through 12. The top four seeds receive a first round bye. The complete bracket will be released by the GLVC at the conclusion of Thursday night's games.
 
SIZING UP THE TRITONS
UMSL is 10-15 overall, including 5-12 in the GLVC. The Tritons, playing their fifth straight road game, are coming off a 73-59 loss at No. 12 Drury last Saturday. Of UMSL's 12 league losses, nine have come by nine or fewer points, while five are by six or fewer points.
 
Senior Kelly Kunkel averages 12.0 points and 5.6 rebounds per game, while redshirt sophomore Jordan Fletcher follows with 10.8 points and 5.6 rebounds per game. In GLVC-only games, Fletcher is averaging team-bests of 12.9 points and 6.7 rebounds per game.

Junior Shea O'Brien has been the leading scorer in the last two contests, averaging 19 points per game last weekend at Missouri S&T and Drury, which included a career-best 22 against the Miners.
 
SCOUTING THE OPPONENTS
Maryville is 11-13 overall, including 5-12 in the GLVC. The Saints, 6-5 at home this season, are coming off a 69-54 win at Missouri S&T last Saturday. Alex Hillyer ranks sixth in the GLVC in scoring at 16.8 points per game and adds 7.8 rebounds and 1.9 blocks per game.
 
SERIES HISTORY
UMSL is 10-8 all-time against Maryville and won the first meeting this year, a 74-61 decision at home on December 12. The Tritons scored 15 unanswered points early in the fourth quarter and outscored the Saints, 31-11, to end the game. Junior Robneisha Lee led the Tritons with 14 points, going 8-of-11 at the free throw line. The Tritons made 22-of-29 free throws, including all 10 in the final 1:05, while junior Sydney Bloch followed with 13 points, four assists and three steals. Senior Amber Daly came off the bench to contribute 12 points, seven assists and three steals.