SETTING THE SCENE
UMSL steps into GLVC play for the first time this season, opening league play at home. The Tritons welcome McKendree on Thursday and Illinois Springfield on Saturday to play two of their 18 conference games. The remaining 16 league games will be played in the new year.  
 
UMSL IN GLVC OPENERS
UMSL is 7-15 in GLVC openers… the Tritons are opening the league schedule at home for the first time since the 2015-16 season… UMSL opened GLVC play against Illinois Springfield and McKendree in 2014-15, winning both of those games at home.
 
SIZING UP THE TRITONS

• UMSL enters league play with a 6-1 record, including a 4-1 mark at home.
• The Tritons have won three straight.
• The Tritons are off to their best start since the 2014-15 team began the year with eight straight wins.
• Four players are averaging double figures, led by junior Ronnie Carson (15.6 ppg) and senior Eric Dust (13.3 ppg), while senior Johnathan Matthews (12.4 ppg) and sophomore Shane Wissink (10.0 ppg) follow.
• Statistically, the Tritons rank ninth in NCAA DII in total assists (122) and 34^th in assists per game (17.4). They also rank high in free throw shooting, including 14^th in attempts (158), third in made (126) and 22^nd in percentage (79.7).
• Wissink leads the GLVC and ranks 22^nd nationally in steals per game (2.86) and is third in DII with 20 total steals.
• UMSL was picked 10^th in the GLVC Preseason Coaches Poll.

 
SCOUTING THE OPPONENTS
McKendree
The Bearcats are 2-2, having won their last two. Three players average double figures, while as a team, McKendree is shooting a GLVC third-best 39.8 percent from the three-point line. The Bearcats have taken care of the ball, averaging just 10.5 turnovers per game. They are under the direction of first-year head coach Chris Foster, who came to McKendree from fellow GLVC member Truman State. The Bearcats were picked 11^th in the GLVC Preseason Coaches Poll.  
 
Illinois Springfield
The Prairie Stars enter a Thursday game at Maryville with a 3-3 record. UMSL and UIS have shared one common non-conference opponent in Central Missouri. The Prairie Stars lost a 77-65 road decision to the Mules, while UMSL was an 84-74 winner at home. Three players average double figures for UIS, which is the co-leader in blocked shots (3.33 per game).  UIS was tabbed for a 12^th place finish in the GLVC Preseason Coaches Poll.
 
SERIES HISTORIES
UMSL is 16-7 all-time against McKendree, including 5-2 since the Bearcats joined the GLVC. They split the series last year with each team winning on its home court. The two games were decided by a combined six points with UMSL earning a 59-57 win and McKendree posting an 88-84 win. Four of the last five meetings have been decided by four points or less.
 
The Tritons are 10-3 against Illinois Springfield. UMSL has won seven of the last eight meetings with the two programs splitting last season. The Prairie Stars won at home, 61-59, while UMSL posted a 79-72 win at home. Three of the last four meetings have been decided by two points or less.
 
UP NEXT
UMSL hosts Lindenwood Belleville on Tuesday at 7 p.m. in non-conference play.