ST. LOUIS, MO., February 29, 2020 – The No. 18 ranked University of Missouri-St. Louis men's basketball team defeated visiting Illinois Springfield, 86-79, on Saturday afternoon to earn a share of the Great Lakes Valley Conference regular season title.
The Tritons, who share the crown with Truman State, now turn their attention to the postseason, beginning with the GLVC Tournament, being held March 5-8 on the campus of SIUE in Edwardsville, Ill. The complete bracket will be released by the league office later tonight.
The victory also completed a perfect 16-0 home record for UMSL, which last won a regular season conference title in 2012 when they won the GLVC West Division.
Prior to the game, seniors
Bobby Parker, Jalen Wilkins-McCoy and
Jason Towery were honored for their contributions to the program during their careers.
RECORDS
#18 UMSL (25-5, 16-4 GLVC), Illinois Springfield (14-14, 7-13 GLVC)
HOW IT HAPPENED
UMSL took a 44-26 lead into halftime after using a 20-0 run to pull away from the Prairie Stars in that opening 20 minutes. A three-pointer by UIS cut the Tritons lead to 19-17, but UMSL's spurt over the next eight minutes then made it 39-17 advantage.
A 10-0 run by UIS got the Prairie Stars within 63-56 with just under six to play in the second half. UIS would get even closer at 75-71 with 1:06 to play, but UMSL held off its guests by going 9-of-11 at the free throw line in the final 49 seconds.
UMSL made 29-of-36 free throws, shot 48 percent from the field and held a 37-27 rebounding advantage. UIS shot 44.8 percent, connecting at a 54.8 clip in the second half.
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
- Towery recorded a career-high for the second straight game, this time tallying 21 points on 7-of-10 shooting.
- Junior Jose Grubbs added 18 points and three steals.
- Junior Yaakema Rose Jr. followed with 13 points and five assists, finishing 9-of-10 at the free-throw line.
- Redshirt junior Kenny Berry added 10 points – all in the first half.
- Redshirt sophomore Steve Webb pulled down 11 rebounds and added four assists.
