ST. LOUIS —The University of Missouri-St. Louis women's basketball team fell short in the GLVC Championship, losing 83-75 in double overtime to Maryville on Sunday afternoon on Chuck Smith Court at the Mark Twain Building.
 
Throughout the first quarter, the Tritons, seeded first, (24-5) and Saints, seeded second, (25-6) traded baskets. Mara Rieder had four points in the first two minutes. Jayden Kuper answered a Maryville three with a three-point make of her own to tie the score at nine at the halfway mark.
 
A five-point run by the Saints saw them stretch their lead but UMSL answered with layups from Anna Costa Riera and Rieder before Kuper made another clutch three. Jaeda Wilson made a three-point play in the final thirty seconds to send the Tritons into the second quarter trailing by one.
 
The offense slowed down in the second stanza after Maryville jumped out with a five-point run. A Rieder jumper cut the lead to four but three-point shooting by the Saints kept Maryville out in front. Back to back three-pointers from the Saints sent the Tritons into the locker room trailing by 13.
 
UMSL clawed back in the third, tightening up defensively and going on a six-point run in the middle of the corner before Wilson hit a three-pointer to cut Maryville's lead to six with two minutes to go. The Tritons scored the final six points of the quarter to pull within 44-41 heading into the final frame.
 
It was a one-point affair for most of the final quarter with Rieder having six points in the first two minutes. In the final minute of the game, Wilson hit two free throws to force overtime and keep UMSL alive.
 
Costa Riera hit a three to open the first overtime before free-throw shooting by both teams kept the score knotted up. Two Morgan Ramthun free throws put UMSL up two but a late foul sent Maryville to line to force a second overtime.
 
The Saints pulled out to an early lead in the second overtime, though Kuper made a three-pointer halfway through to cut the lead to one. Free-throw shooting by Maryville managed to preserve their lead and see the game out in the final minute.
 
UMSL finished the game shooting 38 percent (27-for-72) from the field including 5-of-16 from three and 80 percent at the foul line. Kuper led all scorers with a career-high 25 points while Rieder added 24 points and nine boards.
 
The Saints shot slightly better at 39 percent (28-for-71) from the floor including 8-of-17 from three and shot 95 percent at the foul line. Claire Lueken led Maryville with 24 points, nine rebounds, and two blocks.
 
The Tritons will find out tonight at 9:30 p.m. (CDT) if they'll receive an at-large berth to the NCAA Division II Tournament during the NCAA Selection Show on NCAA.com.