ST. LOUIS, Mo. -- Earlier this season, the No. 4 Drury Panthers (21-3, 11-2) fell to Kentucky Wesleyan, 76-75.

And the very same Wesleyan team was outdueled at Chuck Smith Court by the UMSL Tritons (just outside this week's top 25), 73-58.

Parity is what pushes the proverbial collegiate train, and the Tritons stayed with the Panthers for the final three quarters of play, shocking the Panthers, 75-65.

For the Tritons (15-2, 11-1), it marks the second time in school history they have knocked off the Panthers.

The first quarter looked a bit glum, as the Panthers pressed off the bat, forced a plethora of turnovers, en route to the 18-13 lead.

The Tritons took great umbrage as they outscored the Panthers 22-15 in the second.

"We talked about the organic play we would have to have in order to beat this team," UMSL veteran head coach Katie Vaughn said. "They [Drury] are very run and jump and take you out of everything you want to do, and if you don't have the players to make plays, that is where they get you. I knew we just had to settle in."

And settle in they did as the Tritons outscored the Panthers 14-11 in the third, as they lead the highly-favored visitors, 49-44.

In the fourth, the offense immediately pounded Kiara Stewart in the paint, as she converted the old-fashioned 3-point play.

Freshman Jalysa Stokes, who finished with 10 points and four steals, came up with the interception, and Alex LaPorta found senior Danielle Berry for the trey, putting the Tritons up 62-54 with 1:53 to go.

Stokes and freshman counterpart Mallory Ronshausen have given Vaughn and the Tritons the 1-2 punch that was missing one year ago.

"Having a couple of freshmen who play a lot, guard-wise, to be able to see it ... we have talked about it but they have never seen it [Drury]. I thought they composed themselves, and they do a good job of having short-term memory, they did a good job of just ... next play, next play."

The freshmen duo accounted for 16 points and five steals, offering the needed counter as the Panthers closed in on LaPorta, which opened up the play of the duo and Faye Meissner -- who finished with 19 points, one steal and one rebound. Stewart tallied 19 points and nine boards.

As a collective, the Tritons shot 57 percent from the field, 46 percent from the arc, and 91 percent from the line.

The Tritons have a quick turnaround as they host SBU at 4 p.m. Saturday.