ST. LOUIS — The Bellarmine University women's basketball team saw its three-game winning streak snapped as Missouri-St. Louis defeated the Knights 72-61 on Saturday in Great Lakes Valley Conference play in the Mark Twain Building.

Senior guard Raven Merriweather tied the Tritons' Arielle Jackson for game-high scoring honors with 20 points for Bellarmine (11-9, 6-5 GLVC). Senior forward Beth Bowers and sophomore guard Katie Downey added 13 points apiece against UMSL (12-5, 6-4). Merriweather also had eight rebounds, five assists and four steals, while Bowers totaled nine rebounds and three steals.

Missouri-St. Louis finished with a massive advantage at the free-throw line. The Tritons were 30 of 39 from the charity stripe while the Knights were 9 for 11. Bellarmine actually collected six more field goals (24-18) than Missouri-St. Louis.

Bellarmine grabbed a 31-26 lead at halftime after the teams were tied at 16 after one quarter. The Tritons sank a trio of 3-pointers in the third period to help push them to a 47-42 advantage leading into the final quarter.

Bellarmine managed only one basket over the first five minutes of the quarter, and Missouri-St. Louis took advantage by building a 56-44 lead with 4:33 left. The Knights never got closer than nine thereafter. The Tritons shot 26 free throws alone in the final period, hitting 20.

Bellarmine hosts Quincy on Thursday.

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