ST. LOUIS, MO. – The University of Missouri-St. Louis men's basketball team fended off visiting Illinois Springfield on Saturday afternoon en route to picking up a 79-72 win in Great Lakes Valley Conference play on Senior Day.

The Tritons led by as many as 18 only to see the lead trimmed to one with just over five minutes to play. UMSL helped seal the game by going 9-of-12 at the free throw line in the final 1:17. The Tritons made a season-high 25 free throws, shooting 86.2 percent at the charity stripe.
 
Prior to the game, UMSL's three seniors – Steven Davis, Elijah Watson and D.J. White were recognized.
 
Records: UMSL (12-12, 7-8 GLVC), Illinois Springfield (14-11, 6-9 GLVC)
 
How it Happened
UMSL jumped out to a 14-2 lead and later got six points from junior Eric Dust in an 8-0 run that gave the Tritons their largest lead of the game at 35-17 with2:01 to play. UMSL led 40-23 at the break.
 
Illinois Springfield capped a second-half 21-7 opening run with 11 unanswered points to get within 42-38 in the first six minutes. UMSL responded with an 11-2 spurt, forcing three UIS turnovers and making 4-of-6 field goals to push the lead back to 52-40 on a layup by junior Johnathan Matthews.
 
A 10-2 spurt by UIS over a three-minutes stretch brought the game to 60-59 with 5:15 to play. UMSL missed all three shots during that stretch, but followed with six straight in an 8-1 run to make it 68-60.
 
Numbers of Note
- Matthews scored 19 points, finishing 10-of-11 at the free throw line, and also collected two steals.
- Dust finished with 15 points and 10 rebounds for his second double-double.
- Freshman Shane Wissink scored a season-best 12 points and dished out three assists.
- UMSL shot 37.9 percent, while UIS shot 44.4 percent, including 55.2 percent in the final 20 minutes.
- Both teams pulled down 35 rebounds.
- The Tritons outscored the Prairie Starts, 25-14, in points off turnovers. UIS had 17 miscues.
- Watson dished out eight assists.
 
Up Next
UMSL hosts Quincy on Thursday at 7:30 p.m. in the home finale.