February 14, 2008

Cougars Top Tritons in Men's Basketball, 59-57

BOX SCORE

ST. LOUIS, MO., February 14, 2008 – SIU Edwardsville hit four free throws in the final 31 seconds as the Cougars held on for a 59-57 victory over the University of Missouri-St. Louis men’s basketball team Thursday night in Great Lakes Valley Conference action.

After senior Paul De Chellis gave UMSL a 54-53 lead with 2:49 to play on a mid-range jumper, SIUE’s John Edmison followed with a lay-up to give the Cougars a 55-54 lead they would not relinquish with 2:34 on the clock.

J.B. Jones then knocked in a pair of free throws with 31 seconds to play giving SIUE a 57-54 advantage.

With the ball back in the Tritons’ possession, UMSL junior Nathan Whittaker was fouled on a three-point attempt with seven seconds remaining, but made just one of three free throws. Doug Taylor sealed the victory for the Cougars with two free throws with five seconds remaining.

SIUE finished the game connecting on 12-of-14 charity shots, while UMSL was 4-of-8.

Whittaker finished with a season-high 13 points, hitting five-of-six shots from the field, including both three-point attempts.

De Chellis recorded his third career double-double and second of the season with 10 points and 10 rebounds, while junior Tim Green added 10 points, eight rebounds and seven assists.

UMSL falls to 8-14, including 3-11 in the GLVC with the loss, while the win for SIUE was its 12th straight over the Tritons and improved their ledger to 13-9, 6-8 in the league.

The Tritons held a 15-10 lead six minutes into the game before watching SIUE score 13 straight points to take a 23-15 lead with 6:39 remaining in the half. UMSL missed seven straight shots during that span and went into halftime trailing, 30-21.

UMSL returns to action Saturday, hosting Quincy in its final home game of the season at 7:30 p.m. The Tritons will also honor their four seniors prior to the start.

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