ST. LOUIS, MO. – The University of Missouri-St. Louis men's basketball team came away with a 76-71 Great Lakes Valley Conference victory at Illinois Springfield Thursday night in its first true road game of the season.
After playing their first 14 games in St. Louis, including the last 12 at home, the Tritons survived their first test on the road, avenging an earlier season loss to the Prairie Stars.
With the win, UMSL improves to 12-3 overall for just the fourth time in program history (2014-15, 1990-91, 1988-89).
Records: UMSL (12-3, 3-2 GLVC), Illinois Springfield (9-5, 2-2 GLVC)
How it Happened
The Tritons clung to a 35-34 halftime lead after jumping out to a 16-6 lead six minutes in the strength of knocking down 6-of-9 field goals. UIS later rallied to knot the game at 20-20 with 7:18 on the clock.
UMSL outscored its guests, 9-2, to open the second half, building a 44-36 advantage less than four minutes in. Senior
Johnathan Matthews scored five of the Tritons points.
After the Tritons equaled their largest lead at 49-39 with 13:49 to play, UIS reeled off five straight to ignite an 8-1 run and pulled within 50-47 nearly 80 seconds later.
A Matthews three-pointer gave UMSL a 66-60 lead with just under five minutes to go before the Prairie Stars got within 70-69 with 1:22 on the clock, but the home team would get no closer.
Inside the Box Score
- Matthews finished with a game-high 17 points despite missing three free throws (3-of-6). He entered the game fifth in NCAA DII with a 94.5 shooting percentage.
- Senior Eric Dust added 13 points and pulled down seven rebounds, while junior Jalen Wilkins-McCoy followed with a season-high 12 points. Sophomore Anthony Hughes chipped in 11 points.
- UMSL shot 49.1 percent and held a commanding 41-27 rebounding advantage, while UIS shot42.9 percent.
- Redshirt junior Jason Towery grabbed nine caroms and dished out three assists.
Up Next: UMSL continues its road trip, traveling across the river to McKendree on Saturday at 3 p.m.
