LIBERTY, MO- The Miners finished up the first half of the season today, facing the 73-62 loss to the Cardinals of William Jewell.

S&T's defense couldn't find an answer to Jewell's offense in the opening quarter; the Cardinals gained a 15-point lead in the opening 10 minutes of play, scoring 29 points and shooting just over 56% from the field.

The Miners didn't lay down so easy, completely erasing that deficit and holding Jewell to just two points through the first seven and a half minutes of the quarter.

After a lay-up from the Cardinals Macyn Wilbers put Jewell up 31-16, Laura Rodriguez (Gran Canaria, Spain/Baloncesto Torrelodones) would answer with a quick drive into the lane for a lay-up that started a 10-0 run for the Miners and get within five of the Cardinals.

S&T's defense held steady for the remainder of the quarter, holding Jewell to just seven second quarter points while the Miners ended the half on a 7-2 run that was capped with a long jumpshot from Ashley Harvey (Raytown, Mo./Raytown) at the buzzer to put S&T down 36-33 heading into the break.

Things continued to look up for the Miners to start the third quarter; Ashley Harvey (Raytown, Mo./Raytown) drained two free-throws to open the second half to get S&T within one.

From there, the Cardinals would push their lead back out to eight after a 9-2 run.

S&T and Jewell would trade baskets for the rest of the quarter until the last 90 seconds of the quarter when the Cardinals would get a 5-0 scoring run to give them the 57-48 lead heading into the final 10 minutes of play.

Both defenses stepped it up in the fourth quarter, holding the opposing offenses to seven points through the first five minutes.

The Miners did all they could to threaten the Cardinals lead. They cut their deficit to 67-61 with 2:11 left in the game after Alex Kerr (St. Louis, Mo./St. Joseph's Academy) and Laura Rodriguez (Gran Canaria, Spain/Baloncesto Torrelodones) scored on consecutive possessions down the floor, but Jewell's defense held steady and handed S&T the 73-62 loss.

Laura Rodriguez (Gran Canaria, Spain/Baloncesto Torrelodones) picked up her third 20-point game of the season after going 9-15 from the field while Alex Kerr (St. Louis, Mo./St. Joseph's Academy) recorded her third double-double of the season with 15 points and a career best 17 rebounds, 12 of those coming in the first half.

Missouri S&T (1-6, 1-6 GLVC) finished the game shooting 42% from the field.