ST. LOUIS, MO. – Senior
Johnathan Matthews scored a career-high 26 points on Saturday to help the University of Missouri-St. Louis men's basketball team to an 84-74 win over Central Missouri to close out the UMSL Thanksgiving Classic.
Records: UMSL (6-1), Central Missouri (5-2)
How it Happened
Central Missouri jumped out to a 12-2 lead three minutes into the game, but UMSL chipped away before scoring seven unanswered to take its first lead at 31-29 on a three-pointer from sophomore
Jose Grubbs with 4:39 on the clock. The Tritons closed the half with a 6-2 spurt to own a 41-37 halftime advantage. UMSL made 8-of-15 three-pointers in the first 20 minutes with Matthews knocking down 4-of-7 from beyond the arc.
A 12-6 start to the second half by the Tritons gave UMSL its first double-digit lead at 53-43 eight minutes in, while UMSL took a pair of 12-point leads a minute later. The Mules got within six points at 63-57 with 8:25 to play, but the Tritons followed with eight unanswered to ignite a 10-1 run, pushing the advantage to 72-58 on a lay-in by junior
Josh Carter at the 6:28 mark.
Inside the Box Score
- Grubbs equaled a career-high 15 points, connecting on 5-of-6 field goals, including 4-of-5 from beyond the arc.
- UMSL shot 54.3 percent, including 45.8 percent (11-of-24) from three-point range, while Central Missouri shot 41.8 percent, including just 37.9 percent in the second half. The Mules were 14-of-30 from long range.
- Redshirt junior Jason Towery added 11 points and five rebounds, while sophomore Shane Wissink also tossed in 11 points to go with five assists.
- UMSL won the rebound battle, 39-23, with Carter equaling a season-high 11 caroms.
- The Tritons shot 79.3 percent (23-of-29) at the free-throw line, while Central Missouri was 14-of-25 (56 percent).
Triton Tidbits
- UMSL and Central Missouri, once MIAA foes, were meeting for the first time since February 7, 1996, when the then Rivermen earned an 89-86 victory in St. Louis, Ironically, now UMSL head coach Bob Sundvold was head coach of that Mules team. UMSL is now 12-21 all-time against Central Missouri.
Up Next: UMSL opens GLVC play on Thursday, hosting McKendree at 7:30 p.m.
