ST. LOUIS, MO. – Senior Chelsey Jacox netted the final go-ahead three-pointer and assisted on the Tritons' final field goal to help the University of Missouri-St. Louis women's basketball team hang on for a 54-53 Great Lakes Valley Conference win over visiting Saint Joseph's on Saturday afternoon.
 
Jacox, who finished with 10 points, including eight in the second half, knocked down a three-pointer with 2:59 remaining to break a tie for a 52-49 lead the Tritons would not relinquish. Then after a Pumas basket, Jacox drove the lane and dished off to junior Jordan Fletcher who laid it in with 15 seconds remaining for the 54-51 advantage.
 
Saint Joseph's closed the gap to one point with 2.8 seconds on the clock on an offensive putback and after UMSL turned the ball over on the ensuing inbounds, the Pumas' Kalea Parks got an open look in the lane for the game-winner, but the ball bounced off the back of the rim.
 
The Tritons improve to 7-5 overall with the win, including 2-2 in the GLVC, while Saint Joseph's slips to 6-8 and 2-2 in the league. The 53 points by the Pumas marked the fifth time this season UMSL has kept an opponent under 55 points.
 
Sophomore Laura Szorenyi scored a game-high 18 points as the Tritons shot 34 percent from the field to the Pumas' 32.1 percent. Saint Joseph's held a slim 39-38 rebounding edge despite 14 rebounds from junior Shawnta Johnson. Senior Robneisha Lee added eight points, six rebounds, four steals and three assists.
 
UMSL clung to a 22-20 halftime advantage. The Tritons raced out to an 11-0 lead to open the contest and held a 16-8 advantage after the first frame. Saint Joseph's outscored UMSL, 12-6, in the second quarter.
 
Saint Joseph's took its first lead of the game at the 7:54 mark in the third quarter, but a 12-4 run to end the 10-minute period helped UMSL to a 43-36 advantage. The Tritons had three triples during that run, including two from Szoreyni.
 
UMSL will play its next three games on the road, beginning Thursday at No. 16 ranked Lewis.