ST. LOUIS, MO., November 17, 2018 – Sophomore Alex LaPorta scored a career-high 20 points and added 14 rebounds, while freshman McKenzie Lathrom led all scorers with 27 points as the University of Missouri-St. Louis women's basketball team downed visiting Purdue Northwest, 88-62, on Saturday afternoon in the Tritons' home opener.
 
The double-double for LaPorta was her first of the season and the ninth of her career.
 
Lathrom, who netted 16 of her points in the first half, finished 9-of-11 from the field, including 5-of-7 from three-point range. She also collected six steals.
 
Records: UMSL (1-3), Purdue Northwest (1-2)
 
How it Happened
Purdue Northwest held a 22-19 lead after the first quarter, but UMSL opened the second half on a 16-2 run to pull ahead 35-24 with 4:36 to play on LaPorta's second of two free throws. The Tritons outscored the Pride, 28-14, in that frame and made 4-of-5 three-pointers. UMSL took a 47-36 lead into halftime and stretched its advantage to 68-50 after three quarters.  
 
Inside the Box Score

• Senior Kaitlynn Henning also reached double figures with 14 points on 6-of-7 shooting.
• UMSL connected at a 53.7 percent clip and held a 35-30 rebounding edge. Redshirt junior Laura Szorenyi pulled down seven boards and added eight points.
• Purdue Northwest shot 38.6 percent.

 
Triton Tidbits

• UMSL won its eighth straight home opener, including all seven under head coach Katie Vaughn.
• The Tritons have won 15 straight games in the Mark Twain Building dating back to the 2016-17 season, which includes all 12 last season.

 
Up Next: UMSL continues its home stand on Monday, hosting future GLVC foe Southwest Baptist at 5 p.m.