ALLENDALE, Mich. -- The University of Missouri-St. Louis women's basketball team fell short in its comeback attempt, falling to Northwood 60-49 in the second round of the NCAA tournament on Saturday evening at the GVSU Fieldhouse Arena in Allendale, Mich.
 
It was a slow start for both teams, with the Tritons getting on the board four minutes in to the quarter. Mara Rieder pulled down an offensive rebound before going back up to give UMSL its first points of the game.
 
With back and forth scoring through the middle of the quarter a layup by Jayden Kuper pulled the Tritons within four before a free-throw sent UMSL into the second quarter down five.
 
Work in the paint by Morgan Ramthun and Reider kept the Timberwolves, seeded third, (28-5) within reach. A made jump shot by Anna Costa Riera followed by a Costa Riera steal on the next possession saw the Tritons cut the lead to 10.
 
A ten-point run by Northwood in the last three minutes of the quarter sent UMSL into the locker room trailing by 20 at the half.
 
The third quarter saw the Tritons chip away at Northwood's lead. Lexi Hanna scored a three-pointer and a jump shot for a quick five points. Kuper added a three of her own and Ramthun knocked down two free-throws to cut the Timberwolves lead to 10.
 
Northwood stretched the lead again but Kuper and Jaeda Wilson combined to cut the lead to nine.
 
UMSL battled in the fourth quarter, trading baskets with the Timberwolves. A mini five-point run in the final five minutes cut Northwood's lead to eight but time ran out on UMSL's comeback.
 
The Tritons were held to 35 percent (21-for-60) shooting from the floor in the contest but were 3-of-20 from three and shot 40 percent at the foul line. Ramthun led the way for UMSL with 13 points and nine rebounds while Rieder finished with 12 points and 14 boards.
 
The Timberwolves finished the game shooting 42 percent (22-for-52) from the field in the game including 5-of-18 from three and shot 92 percent at the foul line. Lea Holmes and Maeve St. John carried Northwood scoring 48 of the team's 60 points.
 
UMSL finishes its season with a school record 25 wins and won the first conference regular season championship in school history.