Rolla, Mo. - The Missouri S&T women's basketball team started its 2018-19 season on a winning note as five Miners scored in double figures to leading S&T to a 92-54 home exhibition triumph over Webster University (Mo.) this Saturday (Nov. 3) afternoon at Gibson Arena.

The Miners were paced in scoring by sophomore guard Marta Durk (O'Fallon, Ill./O'Fallon Township), who tallied a game-high 17 points to go with a squad-most tying six assists.  Freshman guard Michaela Davis (Keokuk, Iowa/Keokuk) netted 15 points, which included a 9-10 performance from the free throw stripe, while senior forward Bria Pierce (Overland Park, Kan./Blue Valley North) tossed in 14 points.  A pair of juniors, guard Jordan Kabetske (Republic, Mo./Republic) and forward Maddie Raley (Haubstadt, Ind./Gibson Southern) each contributed 10 points for S&T, which connected on 48.4 percent (31-65) of its shots from the field for the game and outscored the Garloks 41-20 in the paint.  Pierce along with junior center Mykala Baylor (South Bend, Ind./Clay) and fershman center Alex Kerr all grabbed seven rebounds apiece to lead the Miners, who claimed a 47-33 advantage on the boards.  

S&T, which forced Webster into committing 33 turnovers, capitialized on the Gorloks' miscues by racking up 37 points off those turnovers and was also productive on the fast break as evidenced by outcoring WU 21-0 in such scoring opportunities.

After 1st Q - S&T 23, WU 15
The Miners snapped a five-all deadlock with an 8-0 run to take a 13-5 lead.  S&T increased its margin to nine points at 16-7 before the Gorloks came back to get within three (16-13) as a result of a six unanswered points.  However, S&T countered with another scoring spurt as the Miners went on a 7-0 spurt to bump their lead up to double digits at 23-13.

After 2nd Q - S&T 53, WU 32
S&T totaled a game-high 30 points in the second quarter as the Miners hit on 10-of-15 from the floor, which included three triples, and made good on seven-of-eight free throw attempts.  Defensively, S&T held the Gorloks to just 21.4 percent (3-14) field goal shooting en route to taking a 21-point lead into the locker room at halftime.  Marta Durk (O'Fallon, Ill./O'Fallon Township) led the Miners with 12 points in 14 minutes played at the break while Bria Pierce (Overland Park, Kan./Blue Valley North) and Michaela Davis (Keokuk, Iowa/Keokuk) added nine points apiece.

After 3rd Q - S&T 74, WU 38
Webster struggled offensively coming out of the break with their lowest scoring output of the game at six points in the third quarter due primarily to a Miners' defense which held them to a mere 6.3 percent (1-16) success made shot rate from the floor.  The Miners, who would record 21 points in the frame, managed to build their sizeable lead up to 39 points at 73-34 following an Alex Kerr jumper.   

FINAL SCORE: S&T 92, WU 54
The fourth quarter was an evenly matched one as S&T would post an 18-16 scoring edge.  The Miners never held a lead less than 33 points (87-54) and no more than 39 (87-48) in the final quarter.  

Up Next: Missouri S&T continues action on its home floor next Friday, Nov. 9, as the Miners officially tip off their 2018-19 season against the Blackburn College (Ill.) Beavers in non-conference action at Gibson Arena.  A 7 p.m. (CT) start time is scheduled for the season opener.  The contest represents the first of four consecutive home non-league games during the month of November for the Miners.

Stay Tuned: Stay up to date with the Miners throughout the 2018-19 season by liking or following @minersports via Twitter and Facebook.