ROLLA, MO- The Miners will begin the new month in Gibson Arena this weekend when they play host to the Bearcats of McKendree on Thursday night and the Hawks of Rockhurst on Saturday afternoon.

S&T is coming off a tough loss to Maryville that saw the Miners struggle to keep pace with the Saints. Despite the 21 turnovers and getting down by as much as 23, the Miners fought their way back to get within eight of Maryville with 7:07 left to play. But, a late run from the Saints would seal the deal with an 83-71 final.

Alex Kerr (St. Louis, Mo./St. Joseph's Academy), who has had great success against Maryville in the past, raked in her sixth career double-double with a team leading 22 points and 11 rebounds while Laura Rodriguez (Gran Canaria, Spain/Baloncesto Torrelodones) and Marta Durk (O'Fallon, Ill./O'Fallon Township) chipped in 20 and 18 points, respectively.

The Bearcats (0-1, 0-1 GLVC), who went 12-16 last season, are coming off a nail-biting 70-61 loss to Rockhurst this past Sunday. While McKendree led for the majority of the game, the Hawks put up 28 fourth quarter points to overpower the Bearcats and hand them their first loss of the season.

The last time the Miners and the Bearcats met, McKendree outscored S&T 25-9 in the second quarter to take a 39-24 lead going into halftime. Missouri S&T answered with a 10-4 run to open the third quarter and got within four of the Bearcats after a three-pointer from Laura Rodriguez (Gran Canaria, Spain/Baloncesto Torrelodones) with 1:07 remaining in the quarter.

Ultimately, McKendree would come out with the 74-60 win after finishing the final two minutes of play with an 8-0 run.

 Rockhurst (1-1, 1-1 GLVC), who got a combined 26 points from Daly and Keegan Sullivan on Sunday, picked up their first win of the season after dropping their opener to Southern Indiana last Friday.

The dynamic Sullivan sister duo is leading the Hawks in scoring, assists, and steals while Monika Faerber is pulling down a team best 10.0 rebounds/game.

The last time the Miners and the Hawks met, Madeline Ronshausen went a perfect 10-10 from the free-throw line to go along with her six three-pointers to give Rockhurst the 85-70 win.

After Tristen McFeders (Kansas City, Mo./Bishop Miege) scored a lay-up with 59 seconds left in the half, the Miners and Hawks went into the break tied at 31. A late fourth quarter push form Rockhurst, that included three 3-pointers, handed the Miners the 85-70 loss.

The Hawks will face off against William Jewell before coming to Rolla on Saturday.