ROLLA, MO- The Miners could not stop the offense of Rockhurst University tonight, taking the 85-70 loss to begin their split weekend.

After S&T took an 11-10 lead behind a three-pointer from Maddie Raley (Haubstadt, Ind./Gibson Southern), Rockhurst would get seven points from Raegan Dodd, Meghan Urbanski, and Madeline Ronshausen to close out the quarter and take the 17-11 lead.

S&T's defense shook out the nerves by the second quarter, holding the Hawks to just 35% shooting from the field in the second stanza.

Back-to-back baskets from Jordan Kabetske (Republic, Mo./Republic) and Laura Rodriguez (Gran Canaria, Spain/Baloncesto Torrelodones) with five minutes left in the half would put the Miners up 27-25. Both teams would trade baskets with each other and look at a 31-31 tie after Tristen McFeders (Kansas City, Mo./Bishop Miege) found an opening in the paint with a minute left.

An explosive third quarter from the Hawks offense would threaten the Miners, putting S&T in the hole by as much as 12.

Late in the third, the Miners got the push they needed to get back within single digits; Marta Durk (O'Fallon, Ill./O'Fallon Township) drained a three-pointer in the corner to get S&T within eight of the Hawks. Mykala Baylor (South Bend, Ind./Clay) and Tristen McFeders (Kansas City, Mo./Bishop Miege) would follow suit with baskets of their own to make it a 52-48 game.

Rockhurst got a late push from Ronshausen and Lauren Krissman to push their lead back out to nine, but a three-pointer from Erica Waelterman (Webster Groves, MO/Webster Groves) at the last second would put the Miners down 59-53 heading into the final 10 minutes of play.

While the Miners defense held on in the third quarter, the Hawks offense proved to be stronger; Rockhurst would push their lead out to double digits and hold the Miners to just 17 points to hand S&T the 85-70 loss.

Laura Rodriguez (Gran Canaria, Spain/Baloncesto Torrelodones) led the way for the Miners with 16 points and five assists while Tristen McFeders (Kansas City, Mo./Bishop Miege) and Jordan Kabetske (Republic, Mo./Republic) chipped in 12 and 11, respectively.

As a team, Missouri S&T (7-9, 3-6 GLVC) shot 46% from the field and went 8-16 from behind the arc.