ST. LOUIS, MO. - No. 3 seed University of Missouri-St. Louis women's basketball posted a convincing win in the first round of the Great Lakes Valley Conference Women's Basketball Championship Tournament over No. 14 seed McKendree University, 76-50. UMSL was in control the whole way. The win was the Tritons' 22nd of the season, tying the program record for most wins in a season.

The last time UMSL won 22 games in women's basketball was the 1980-81 season.

The Tritons (22-4) forced 17 turnovers and converted those turnovers into 22 points.

McKendree (3-23) struggled to keep the Tritons off the glass. UMSL grabbed 35 boards with 18 on the offensive glass. The Tritons took advantage of the second chance opportunities with 15 points. UMSL dominated the paint, scoring 48 points.

Alex LaPorta posted a double-double with 16 points and 12 rebounds. Kiara Stewart scored 12 points and grabbed nine boards. Mallory Ronshausen and Danielle Berry both pitched in nine points a piece.

Jalysa Stokes led bench scoring with 13 points.

The Tritons will face the University of Illinois Springfield (17-10) on Friday at 2:30 p.m. in Edwardsville, Ill. at First Community Arena in the GLVC Championship Tournament Quarterfinals.

Illinois Springfield is the No. 6 seed in the tournament. The Prairie Stars defeated Missouri S&T, 60-52, in the first round of the tournament.

The Tritons defeated UIS on the road this season, 65-51.