November 03, 2008

Kentucky Overpowers Men's Basketball 111-53 in Exhibition Opener

BOX SCORE

LEXINGTON, KY. – The University of Missouri-St. Louis men’s basketball team opened the 2008-09 season with a 111-53 loss at NCAA Division I power Kentucky in exhibition play Monday night at Rupp Arena.

The Wildcats shot 54.8 percent from the field in the game, including 41.4 percent from three-point range and had five players score in double figures to secure the win. Kentucky also scored the game’s first 10 points and never looked back en route to a 63-23 halftime lead.

“We were very honored to be here tonight, and unfortunately, it was a huge challenge for us,” said head coach Chris Pilz. “We will not see anyone as big or as quick as Kentucky this year. We only had 10 turnovers in the first half, so I thought it’d be a closer game, but we need to do a better job finishing around the basket.”

Junior Jeremy Brown paced the Tritons offense with 10 points in his debut and was one of 10 players to get in the scoring column. Brown also registered a pair of blocked shots. Freshman Beaumont Beasley added seven points, while seniors Alex Jackson and Jason Black and freshman Sam Buxton each chipped in six.

Senior Nathan Whittaker put the Tritons on the board with a pair of free throws at the 14:50 mark, while Buxton gave UMSL its first field goal with 11:48 to play on a lay in to make the score 17-4. The Tritons had missed their first 11 attempts from the field.

UMSL was held to 31.1 percent shooting and was out-rebounded 68-23. Senior Tim Green pulled down a team-high six rebounds.

The Tritons did fare well at the charity stripe, connecting on 12-of-13 attempts.

UMSL continues its three-game exhibition slate Saturday, hosting Washington University in a 7:30 p.m. contest at the Mark Twain Building.

Return To Articles