ST. LOUIS, Mo. -- The Truman State Bulldogs came to UMSL Thursday evening looking to right their ship and avenge an earlier loss to the Tritons.

Mission accomplished as the 'Dogs defeated the host Tritons, 69-62.

The loss puts the Tritons at 10-2 overall and 6-1 in the conference. This marks the first loss for head coach Katie Vaughn and her Tritons since the Nov. 12 season opener on the road at nationally-ranked Grand Valley State.

It took some time to get going for the Tritons, who erased double-digit deficits in the first half to close the gap to 36-30 at intermission.

UMSL responded in the third, outscoring the Bulldogs 20-15. But the visitors reciprocated in the fourth, creating the separation to pull away with the win, outscoring UMSL 18-12.

The Bulldogs came in and established the tempo from the onset, from which the Tritons could never fully recover, as Truman lead for 32 of the 40 minutes of play.

Collectively, the Tritons shot 40 percent from the field, 44 percent from the perimeter, and hit all five of their free throws.

Truman was led by Hannah Belanger's 23 points. UMSL was led by senior Kiara Stewart, who found her groove down the stretch en route to her 17 points.

Freshman Jalysa Stokes started in place of Mallory Ronshausen and tallied 10 points.

The Tritons are back in action at 1 p.m. Saturday as they host Quincy.

With the win, Truman now is in first place in the GLVC Central Division.