KIRKSVILLE, Mo. - Two late three-point attempts by the Truman women's basketball team came up empty and Missouri-St. Louis survived and downed the Bulldogs 57-54 in the conference opener on Thursday night.

The Bulldogs (3-5; 0-1 GLVC) led 18-13 after one with Hannah Belanger knocking down three early triples. However the second quarter proved costly as the Tritons outscored the Bulldogs 18-7 and led 31-25 at the halftime break.

UMSL (5-1; 2-0 GLVC) got 21 points from Kiara Stewart and 20 from Alex LaPorta and led 43-39 after three quarters.

Katey Klucking knocked down a triple to put Truman in front 44-43 with seven minutes to play but Stewart answered right back with a hoop and LaPorta drilled a shot for a 47-44 Triton lead.

Truman kept pace but couldn't get back in front. Maddie Re converted a three-point play with 48 seconds left to pull Truman to within two at 55-51 but a late shot clock reverse under the hoop that somehow bounced off the rim and in by Mallory Ronshausen with 19.2 seconds left put the Tritons back up by four at 55-51. 

Out of a timeout, Belanger cut the cords from the left wing to bring the Bulldogs back to within one at 13.2 seconds showing.

LaPorta was fouled and converted the free throws to set up Truman's last possession with 11.9 left.

Belanger's shot was strong from the left wing and the rebound was tracked down by Re, her heave at the buzzer hit backboard and iron but fell off.

Belanger finished with 21 points on five made triples and added five assists. Ellie Weltha scored 11 and Re finished with 10. 

Truman returns to action on Saturday hosting Maryville University at 1 p.m.