ST. LOUIS, MO. – Oklahoma Christian shot 53.3 percent and scored 56 points in the paint en route to handing the University of Missouri-St. Louis men's basketball team a 73-66 loss Monday afternoon in the first game of the Maryville Classic.
 
The Tritons had no answer for the Eagles' Roderick Smith, who scored 33 points on 16-of-19 shooting, to go with 12 rebounds.
 
Records: UMSL (6-4), Oklahoma Christian (3-7)
 
How it Happened
Oklahoma Christian owned a 34-28 halftime advantage after a first half that saw them shoot 62.5 percent. Meanwhile, the Tritons started slow offensively, connecting on just two of their first 14 field goals, allowing the Eagles to jump out to an early 15-5 lead. Six straight points from UMSL later cut the deficit to 22-20 with 5:33 to play on a lay in from senior Elijah Watson, but OCU followed with nine unanswered.
 
After shooting just 32.3 percent in the first half, UMSL connected at a 50 percent clip in the second half. Junior Davious Webster knocked in back-to-back three-pointers to open the second half, tying the score at 34-34. The Eagles later upped the lead to 52-45 with 11:24 remaining before UMSL followed with a 6-0 run to get within 52-51. Oklahoma Christian answered with eight straight and UMSL would get no closer. A pair of free throws from senior Steven Davis made it 69-66 with 57 seconds to play and after a pair of missed shots and missed free throws on the other end, the Tritons were unable to take advantage of their next possession. OCU's Elijah Strickland made all four of his free throws in final 11 seconds to seal the game.
 
Numbers of Note
- Davis led UMSL with 17 points, while Webster and junior Johnathan Matthews chipped in 10 points each.
- Oklahoma Christian owned a 36-31 rebounding advantage, including a 12-11 edge on the offensive end. However, UMSL outscored the Eagles, 19-8, in second chance points.
- Junior Eric Dust pulled down six rebounds, while junior Will Presson had five boards.
 
Up Next
UMSL closes out play at the Maryville Classic tomorrow at 1 p.m. against Purdue Northwest.