Sophomore Alex LaPorta averaged 9.0 points and 12.5 rebounds as UMSL split two games to begin its conference season, losing to McKendree and beating Illinois Springfield. LaPorta grabbed a career-high 17 rebounds in the Tritons’ loss.

Women’s Basketball
UMSL bounced back from a 72-55 loss to McKendree last Thursday in the Great Lakes Valley Conference opener to record an 82-54 win over Illinois Springfield on Saturday, shooting a season-high 54.5 percent from the field. Sophomore Alex LaPorta averaged 9.0 points and 12.5 rebounds over the two games, pulling down a career-high 17 rebounds in the loss. Senior Arielle Jackson averaged a team-best 18.5 points. UMSL (4-4, 1-1 GLVC) hosts Christian Brothers on Friday before an exhibition game Sunday at NCAA Division I school University of Missouri–Kansas City.

Men’s Basketball
UMSL opened its conference schedule with a convincing 87-55 win over McKendree last Thursday, shooting a season-high 62.3 percent. Five players scored in double figures, led by junior Ronnie Carson’s 19 points, while redshirt junior Jason Towery added a career-high 17. The Tritons were unable to carry that momentum into Saturday, when a season-high 19 turnovers plagued them in an 83-73 loss to Illinois Springfield. Senior Johnathan Matthews scored 18 points in the loss. UMSL (7-2, 1-1 GLVC) steps back out of conference play this week, hosting Lindenwood-Belleville on Tuesday night and Hannibal-LaGrange on Friday.