Normandy, Mo. – Dewayne Vass scored 18 points, including 12 in the second half, to lead the Maryville men's basketball team to its fourth straight victory with an 81-75 win over Grand Valley State. The game was the final contest at UMSL's St. Louis Union Station Hotel Thanksgiving Classic. Ben Palacios tallied 17 points, while Dylan Ingram sank four 3-pointers en route to 14 points. JT Morgan added 11 points and grabbed a team-high eight rebounds. The Saints shot 50.9 percent from the field, the fourth straight game they have converted at least 50 percent.
 
Grand Valley State recap
The score was deadlocked 49-49 with 15 minutes left to play before the Saints scored five straight. Palacios scored a basket and Ari Jackson drained a 3-pointer for a 54-49 edge. After a GVSU score, Maryville went on a 7-0 burst. Kelvin Swims sank two free throws, and Dylan Ingram converted a 3-pointer. Swims converted a layup for a 61-52 edge. Later, Ingram drained another triple as the Saints surged to a 64-53 margin with 8:44 remaining.
 
The Lakers slowly cut into the Maryville advantage and closed to 66-62. Dewayne Vass scored in the lane as the Saints went back ahead 68-62. Maryville kept a narrow advantage and another hoop by Vass was good for a 72-64 cushion. GVSU made a push to 75-60 but Vass hit a critical wing 3-pointer as the shot clock was winding down for a 78-70 lead with 42 seconds to play. The Lakers got as close as five but Palacios sank two free throws with 13.1 seconds remaining to effectively seal the win.
 
Statistical Leaders
Points: Dewayne Vass - 18
Rebounds: JT Morgan - 8
Assists: Kelvin Swims - 5
3-Pointers: Dylan Ingram - 4
Steals: six players - 2
 
Records
Maryville: 5-1
Grand Valley State: 2-4
 
What's Next?
The Saints start Great Lakes Valley Conference play with a contest at William Jewell Saturday, Nov. 26.