LIBERTY, Mo. – After cutting a 13-point William Jewell lead down to six by halftime, Missouri S&T's women's basketball team could not sustain that momentum into the second half as it went ice cold from the field and suffered a 66-54 Great Lakes Valley Conference loss to the Cardinals Thursday night.

The Lady Miners (8-12, 3-9 GLVC) made only seven-of-27 (25.9 percent) from the floor in the second half and as a result, were unable to cut any deeper in the Jewell lead.  The Cardinals (10-9, 7-5 GLVC) were only marginally better in the final 20 minutes – making 40 percent of their attempts – but were able to hold S&T off over that span.

The Cardinals led for nearly the entire first half, using a strong finish to the first quarter and start of the second to build a 13-point lead at one point.  However, thanks to eight points by Jordan Kabetske (Republic, Mo./Republic) at the end of the first half – on a pair of three-point baskets and two free throws right before the period ended – the Lady Miners were able to trim the Jewell lead to six by halftime.

However, Missouri S&T did not make a shot from the field for over seven minutes to begin the second half, by which time the Cardinals had extended their lead to as much as 14.  S&T had the margin down to eight after a Kabetske basket late in the third quarter, but Hayden Butler hit a three-pointer moments later to extend Jewell's lead to 11 heading into the fourth period.

The Cardinals, who were led by Kayla Harrell with 20 points, maintained the double figure advantage through the final quarter as they held S&T to a 33.3 percent mark from the field for the game.

Kabetske and Janie Arand (Washington, Mo./St. Francis Borgia) had 15 points apiece to lead the Lady Miners in the scoring column, while Marta Durk (O'Fallon, Ill./O'Fallon Township) added 10.  S&T had only eight turnovers in the contest, but were outrebounded 43-33.

Missouri S&T returns home Saturday to host ninth-ranked Drury in a 5:30 p.m. contest at Billy Key Court.