The Tritons improved to 3-1 on the season after besting Missouri Western, 72-67, Saturday to close out the Hillyard Classic in St. Joseph, Mo.

Marty Jackson led the scoring with his 16-point performance. Jackson concluded the Classic with 29 points overall in the two games (lost 78-65 Friday against Northwest Missouri State).

Atavian Butler tossed in 14 against Western. Yaakema Rose added 11. Shane Wissink added seven. Steve Webb had six, as did Isaiah Fuller.

Trever Moore tallied five, Jose Grubbs had three, Marquis Collins and Kellen King had two each.

The Tritons shot 38.5 percent from the field, 15.8 percent from beyond the arc, and 76 percent from the charity stripe.

UMSL led for nearly 36 minutes of play, and Western owned the lead for 30 seconds.

The lead switched hands only twice, and the Tritons led by as many as 11 points in the first half.

Second-chance opportunities were vital, and the Tritons took advantage, netting 15 points to Western's six.

Head coach Bob Sundvold preaches defense which, in turn, adds up on the offensive end, and UMSL found the net for 14 points off turnovers.

The team is back in action next week as they play Lincoln Wednesday, Nov. 23, at 5:30 p.m., and East-West one day later at 3:15 p.m. at the Maryville Thanksgiving Classic.

After the holiday break, the Tritons are on a four-game road trip and won't return to home until the New Year's Eve showdown against Eurkea.