KIRKSVILLE, MO. – Senior Elijah Watson scored 23 points and dished out 12 assists to help the University of Missouri-St. Louis men's basketball team to an 88-83 win at Truman State on Saturday in Great Lakes Valley Conference action.
 
Watson netted two free throws with 35 seconds to play to give the Tritons an 84-83 lead they would not relinquish, while junior Davious Webster and senior Steven Davis each connected for a pair from the charity stripe in the final 14 seconds to help seal the victory.
 
Records: UMSL (4-3, 1-1 GLVC), Truman State (3-4, 0-1 GLVC)
 
How it Happened
Watson scored eight points during an 11-2 run midway through the second half that gave the Tritons a 75-68 lead with 9:12 to go, but Truman State followed with a 9-2 run and knotted it at 77-77 five minutes later. Davis answered with a three-pointer before a layup by the Bulldogs with 42 seconds on the clock gave the hosts an 83-82 lead.
 
UMSL clung to a 45-44 halftime lead after owing an 11-point lead in the first half. Senior Steven Davis knocked in his fourth three-pointer at the 4:12 mark to make it 41-30, but the Bulldogs followed with 14 unanswered to pull in front, 44-41. Junior Johnathan Matthews ended the opening stanza with three free throws to five the Tritons the lead at the break.
 
Numbers of Note
- Davis added 20 points, netting 5-of-7 three-pointers, and also pulled down six rebounds.
- Junior Eric Dust followed with a season-best 15 points and seven rebounds, while Matthews also reached double figures with 10 points, all coming in the first half.
- UMSL shot 53.6 percent and held a 33-22 rebounding advantage, while Truman State connected at a 55.1 percent clip.
- The Tritons made 20-of-23 free throws (87 percent), while the Bulldogs were 19-of-27 (70.4 percent) at the line.
- The game featured 10 ties and 14 lead changes.
 
Up Next
UMSL returns home on Thursday to host William Jewell at 7:30 p.m.