LEBANON, ILL. – The University of Missouri-St. Louis men's basketball team rallied back from a 24-point deficit, but couldn't complete the comeback in an 88-84 loss at McKendree Thursday night in Great Lakes Valley Conference action.
 
The Tritons had the ball with 14.3 seconds to go and down three, but were called for an illegal screen. McKendree then made one of two free throws to help seal the win.
 
The Bearcats shot a season-high 61.1 percent in the win, which included a 10-of-15 effort from three-point range.
 
Records: UMSL (12-12, 7-8 GLVC), McKendree (12-13, 3-12 GLVC)
 
How it Happened
McKendree owned a 54-36 halftime lead thanks in part to 72.4 percent first half shooting, which included a 6-of-6 performance from three-point range. The Bearcats jumped out to a 9-2 advantage and later used a string of nine unanswered points to push the lead to 34-17.  
 
McKendree took its largest lead of the game at 64-40 three and a half minutes into the second half, while UMSL later used a 10-2 run over a nearly four-minute stretch to get within 74-60 with just under eight minutes to play.
 
Eight unanswered points then made it 78-70 with 5:36 to go, while six straight points in a 1:49 span, capped with a pair of free throws from senior Elijah Watson, made it 87-84. McKendree missed a three-pointer on its following possession to give the ball back to UMSL.
 
Numbers of Note
- Watson finished with 23 points, 19 of which came in the second half.
- Freshman Anthony Hughes and senior Steven Davis added 13 points each.
- Sophomore Jason Towery added 11 points, while junior Johnathan Matthews chipped in 10 points off the bench.
- UMSL outscored McKendree, 48-34, in the second half.
- The Tritons shot an even 50 percent, including 55.2 percent in the second half, and held a 31-28 rebounding advantage.
 
Up Next
UMSL will host Illinois Springfield on Senior Day on Saturday at 3 p.m. Prior to the game, Steven Davis, Elijah Watson and Steven Davis will all be recognized.