Adversity breeds success!
And the Tritons faced some late adversity two days ago as Truman State's buzzer-beater shocked Tritons nation, 72-71.
Fast forward two days and the Tritons were on a mission to erase that moment from the memory banks as UMSL pounded the paint and forced 15 turnovers in their 77-61 win at Lindenwood Saturday afternoon.
UMSL improves to 6-2 overall and 1-1 in GLVC action.
Marty Jackson led with 24 points (11-of-14) and
Shane Wissink tossed in 15.
UMSL owned the interior as they tallied 46 points to the Lions' 16.
Both teams traded jabs in the first half, as leads went back and forth with the Tritons owning the 41-33 halftime lead.
But on both ends of the hardwood in the second half, the Tritons shot up and down the floor like a man out of a circus cannon, getting out in transition and finding open looks inside and from the wings, complementing the stiff defensive effort: the perfect recipe for success.
"The guys did a great job of paying attention to detail regarding the scout and Lindenwood personnel. We were effective in help defense and not allowing them to get much at the rim," UMSL head coach
Bob Sundvold said.
Trever Moore drove from the wing and
Marquis Collins, after being shaken up a bit, knocked down a pair from the charity stripe as the Tritons kept the accelerator depressed, 59-47.
Both teams swapped turnovers before
Jose Grubbs rose up from the right wing and knocked down the trey over the Lions defense, making it 62-49.
Grubbs added another deuce moments later and Jackson connected for the turnaround 15-footer.
"We have always had unselfish play, the key today was getting stops on defense and it fueled our break and some easy baskets.
Steve Webb and Yaakema [Rose] in transition, and Marty handling double teams opened up some passing lanes and great baskets," added Sundvold.
For the Lions defense, it was pick your poison. Whom do you eliminate?
Both teams will meet up at Chuck Smith Court on Feb. 19.
The Tritons are off until Friday when they leave town to play at Quincy.
Tip is slated for 7:30 p.m.
