ST. LOUIS – In recognition of its 35th anniversary season the University of Missouri-St. Louis athletics department will honor the 1987-88 men's basketball team before its home game against Maryville this Saturday (Jan. 7) at 3 p.m. at the Mark Twain Building.

Under the direction of UMSL Athletic Hall of Fame head coach Rich Meckfessel (deceased) the Rivermen went 22-9, 9-4 MIAA that season and won the MIAA Tournament Championship as Chris Pilz drained a game-winning shot with four seconds left in an 81-78 win at Southeast Missouri State to punch their ticket to the NCAA Tournament for the first time in 16 years.

UMSL defeated South Dakota State 68-63 in the first round of the South Central Regional at Southeast Missouri State but lost to the host Redhawks 73-69 in the regional championship contest.

That season, Eric Love was a first team All-South Central Region and second team All-MIAA selection while Pilz was named to the MIAA All-Freshman team.

The 22 wins set a then single season school record for wins breaking the previous record set by the 1971-72 squad that went 21-6. The 22-9 record is third best in school history. Pilz was inducted into the UMSL Athletic Hall of Fame in 2002 and the team was inducted in 2007.

10 players and an assistant coach from the team will be returning. Those coming back are:
Kevin Brooks
James Gregory
Eric Love
Terry Marzette
Bryon McNair
Kevin Morganfield
Chris Pilz
Von Scales
Kevin Sneed
Jeffery Wilson
Paul Ellis – Assistant Coach