ST. LOUIS – The University of Missouri-St. Louis women's basketball team wrapped up a four-game season-opening homestand on Friday night by earning a 68-51 win over Lindenwood in Great Lakes Valley Conference play.
 
The Tritons limited the visiting Lions to 31.4 percent shooting and forced 18 turnovers.
 
Senior Alex LaPorta scored a season-high 20 points, while adding eight rebounds, three steals and three assists.
 
RECORDS
UMSL (2-2, 2-2 GLVC), Lindenwood (3-3, 3-3 GLVC)
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
UMSL owned a 34-24 advantage at the half after limiting the Lions to just 24.1 percent shooting.
 
The Tritons held an 18-16 lead after the first 10 minutes, which saw a combined 10 fouls, including seven by UMSL.
 
A 12-3 start by the Tritons to the third quarter helped UMSL outscore its guests, 25-11, in that frame to take a 59-35 lead into the final quarter.
 
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE

• Junior Kiara Stewart added 15 points, seven rebounds and two steals.
• UMSL shot 45 percent, held a 37-34 rebounding advantage and collected a season-high 12 steals.
• The Tritons outscored the Lions, 17-8, in second chance points, and 19-13 in points off turnovers.

 
UP NEXT
UMSL plays its first road game of the season at McKendree on Sunday at 1 p.m.