The UMSL Tritons (9-1, 5-0) used strong runs late in the second quarter and pulled away in the fourth defeat the University of Illinois Springfield Prairie Stars on the road Saturday, 65-51.

Things appeared a bit grim in the second quarter, until the Tritons turned on the jets and closed out the first two quarters down just four points, 30-26.

The women, minutes earlier, had been down double digits. UIS missed a 3-pointer from the far wing and the Tritons were off and running in third.

Alex LaPorta drew in the defense at the elbow, often times finding a cutting player to cap off the high-low possessions.

LaPorta had a historic day on the glass as she tallied 1,001 career rebounds.

LaPorta had 11 points, 12 rebounds, five assists, and three steals for the GLVC Central Division-leading Tritons. Kiara Stewart finished with a team-high 20 points and nine rebounds.

Mallory Ronshausen added 13 and Faye Meissner added 12. Jalysa Stokes had six, Danielle Berry had two, and Shania Liburd had one.