KIRKSVILLE, MO. – The No. 13 University of Missouri-St. Louis men's basketball team lost a 72-71 decision at Truman State on Saturday afternoon in a battle for first place in the Great Lakes Valley Conference standings.
 
With the win, the Bulldogs take over sole possession of first place in the league standings at 12-2, while the Tritons drop to second place at 11-3.
 
The Tritons rallied back from a 13-point second half deficit to tie the game at 71-71 on a lay-in from junior Yaakema Rose Jr., but Truman State hit the second of two free throws with 0.5 seconds remaining to garner the win.
 
RECORDS
#13 UMSL (20-4, 11-3 GLVC), Truman State (16-6, 12-2 GLVC)
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
Truman State ended the first half on a 17-2 run, which included 16 straight, to take a 37-25 halftime lead as the Tritons trailed at the half for the fourth straight game. UMSL went the final six minutes of the opening stanza without a field goal and shot just 30 percent in the first half.
 
The Bulldogs took their largest lead of the game at 46-33 seven minutes into the second half. UMSL got within five twice before a three-pointer from junior Shane Wissink off a steal from junior Jose Grubbs with 41 seconds to play got UMSL within 71-69. A Bulldogs shot clock violation then gave the ball back to the Tritons with 24 seconds to go, leading the game-tying bucket from Rose Jr.
 
UMSL shot 60 percent in the second half to finish the game at 43.6 percent, while Truman shot 47.7 percent and held a 30-26 rebounding advantage.
 
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE

• Rose Jr. finished with 21 points and was 8-for-8 at the free-throw line and added four assists and two steals.
• Grubbs recorded his second double-double of the year with 25 points on 8-of-9 shooting and 10 rebounds.
• The Tritons had a season-low four turnovers.

 
UP NEXT
UMSL returns to the court Thursday at McKendree.