The Thorobrettes (0-3) have dropped their opening three games of the season for the first time since the 2012-13 season. The Tritons (2-1) are continuing a hot start after knocking off NCAA Division I, Ohio Valley Conference member Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville in an exhibition and taking two of their first three contest.
“We played well in spurts tonight,” said head coach Terrance Slater. “We just didn’t make the necessary plays down the stretch, costing us the game.”
KSU led by as much as seven points with eight minutes to go in the fourth quarter at 51-44. UMSL put together a furious attack, closing the gap and taking the lead with a 13-4 run to go up 57-55 with 3:45 to play. The Tritons didn’t lay off, holding the Thorobrettes scoreless in the closing minutes of the game for an eventual 65-55 final.
The 19-point performance by Rizzi was her first double-digit effort on the season, after leading the team in scoring a season ago. Junior forward Jordan Campbell turned in 15 productive minutes, accounting for seven points and four rebounds. Freshman forward Erica Jones continued to be a difference maker, with a team-high seven rebounds, four points, and two blocks.
KSU will be action at the Exum Center on Monday night against the University of North Alabama at 7pm ET. Earlier in the season on Nov. 10, UNA knocked off the Thorobrettes at home 107-69.
by Eric Mathews
