OPENING TIP NOTES

• UMSL returns to the court on Saturday, making its first road trip when the Tritons travel to Rockhurst for a 3 p.m. game. That contest was originally scheduled for Jan. 6, but with UMSL having a bye weekend and Rockhurst losing a scheduled game due to COVID-19 protocols, the two teams were able to move their contest up.
• The Tritons will then host Southwest Baptist on Monday at 3 p.m. in a game that was originally scheduled for Nov. 29, but had to be postponed.
• UMSL is 1-1 on the young season, having defeated Quincy at home before falling to Truman State, also at home.
• The loss to Truman knocked UMSL out of the NABC DII Coaches Poll after previously having been ranked ninth in the preseason poll.

 TRITON TIDBITS

• UMSL had an 18-game home win streak snapped with its loss to Truman. UMSL entered the game with the fourth longest active home court win streak in NCAA DII.
• After ranking third in NCAA DII in scoring defense a year ago, allowing just 61.5 points per game and holding opponents to 41.6 percent shooting, UMSL's two opponents last weekend averaged 72.5 points per game, shooting over 50 percent from the field.
• One positive defensive stat is that UMSL is averaging 11.5 steals per game, which ranks first in NCAA DII.
• The Tritons averaged 19 assists per game and just 10.5 turnovers per game. They rank fifth in NCAA DII in assist-turnover ratio at 1.81, while their turnover margin (9.5) is second nationally.

ABOUT UMSL

• Four players average double figures, led by junior transfer Marty Jackson's 16.5 points per game.
• Senior Yaakema Rose Jr. (13.5 ppg), senior Jose Grubbs (11.5 ppg) and redshirt junior Kellen King (10.0 ppg) also average double figures.
• Redshirt junior Steve Webb ranks second in NCAA DII in assist-turnover ratio (6.00). The reigning GLVC Defensive Player of the Year is filling out the stat sheet by averaging 8.5 points, 5.0 rebounds, 3.0 assists and 2.5 steals per game.
• The Tritons were out-rebounded in each of their first two games.

ABOUT ROCKHURST
Rockhurst is 3-1 with a notable season-opening win over preseason No. 25 ranked Southern Indiana. The Hawks average 10.5 made three-pointers per game and are shooting 37.5 percent from that distance. Three players average double figures, including Chris Hamil's 21.0 points per game.
 
SERIES HISTORY
UMS is 23-21 all-time against Rockhurst and has won the last three meetings (all at home), including a 67-49 decision last year. The Tritons haven't visiting Kansas City since the 2016-17 season.
 
ABOUT SOUTHWEST BAPTIST
The Bearcats will be opening their season on Saturday at Missouri S&T before traveling to St. Louis for Monday's game. Southwest Baptist finished 20-9 last season.
 
SERIES HISTORY
UMSL is 6-9 all-time against Southwest Baptist and defeated the Bearcats, 84-68, in Bolivar, Mo., last year in the first GLVC meeting between the two schools.
 
UP NEXT
UMSL closes out the 2020 calendar year at home on Friday, Dec. 18, hosting Lindenwood.