Overtime belongs to Rivermen in 92-84 MSSU loss

Box Score


ST. LOUIS, Mo. -- Senior Quentin Edwards tied the score with 49 seconds left in regulation, but a late turnover by the Lions led to overtime, which belonged to Missouri-St. Louis. UMSL outscored Missouri Southern 19-11 in the extra period, including a 12-4 burst in the final 1:45 of a 92-84 overtime loss Tuesday (Nov. 22) at the Mark Twain Building.

The Rivermen scored the first two buckets of overtime and led by five, 78-73, with 3:41 left. The Lions would battle back to tie the score twice over the next two minutes behind three points from senior Dan Jones, two from sophomore Daron Harris and a dunk from senior Jeremy McCadney.

UMSL's Chris Mroz buried a three-pointer with 1:14 left to swing the lead back to the Rivermen before a barrage of free throws in the final 40 seconds. Jonathan Griffin hit the first two of what would become nine free throws as UMSL pulled away for the victory. During the run of charities, MSSU head coach Robert Corn was ejected after collecting two technical fouls.

Neither team led by more than five points in the first half, although the Lions maintained the advantage for most of the way. Missouri Southern stayed in control throughout most of the second half, too, leading by as many as 10 points, after a 10-2 run, with 5:26 gone after the half. MSSU shot 65.2 percent (15-23) in the second period.

Derrell Minner converted a three-point play with 6:11 left to tie the score at 61-61. From there, the two teams would see three more ties and three more lead changes over the rest of regulation. Southern took a brief lead with 1:30 left on a jumper from Edwards, who scored the team's last four points, including the tying bucket with 49 ticks left. Edwards, though, was also saddled with the regulation-ending turnover with one second left.

Missouri Southern had five players in double figures, led by Jones' career-high 20 points. Junior Ed Miles had 16 points and McCadney added 15 points. Edwards finished with 12 and Harris 10. The Lions, who had won 16 straight when out-shooting their foes, out-shot UMSL 54.4 percent to 46 percent. Southern out-rebounded the Rivermen 37-30, but committed 24 turnovers.

UMSL got 18 points from Troy Slaten and 16 more from Griffin. Mroz added 12 and Minner charted 11.

The Lions will return to action on Friday and Saturday (Nov. 25-26) in the Freeman Sports Medicine/Chris Tucker Memorial Classic. Southern opens with a 7 p.m. game on Friday against Missouri Baptist and closes out the event on Saturday with a 7 p.m. clash against Bemidji (Minn.) State.