ROLLA, MO- S&T nearly got their first win over the Screaming Eagles today, taking the lead late in the game. But, the offensive push from Southern Indiana led to the Miners demise and handed them the 79-70 loss.

The Miners opened to a slow start, scoring just nine points in the first quarter and seeing Southern Indiana's offense take off. S&T looked at a 26-9 deficit after the opening 10 minutes.

But, things took a turn in the second quarter; after getting down by as much as 19, S&T on a 15-4 run in the last five minutes of the second quarter.

Marta Durk (O'Fallon, Ill./O'Fallon Township) and Kristin Keys (St. Louis, MO/Westminster CHristian Academy) kicked the run off with back-to-back three-pointers while Mykala Baylor (South Bend, Ind./Clay) added in three consecutive baskets along with a lay-up to get within 10 of the Screaming Eagles. Kristin Keys (St. Louis, MO/Westminster CHristian Academy) would get the Miners the closest they had been since the opening of the game with a jumper from the wing to make it 39-31 going into halftime.

The offensive threat continued for the Miners in the third quarter; a three-pointer from Jordan Kabetske (Republic, Mo./Republic) and another lay-up from Mykala Baylor (South Bend, Ind./Clay) would give S&T their first lead of the day at 45-44.

S&T would extend their lead out to six twice in the third quarter; first, Maddie Raley (Haubstadt, Ind./Gibson Southern) hit back-to-back three-pointers with three minutes left on the clock to give the Miners their largest lead of the night. The Miners would push their lead back out to six at the end of the quarter after Tristen McFeders (Kansas City, Mo./Bishop Miege) completed a three-point play and Laura Rodriguez (Gran Canaria, Spain/Baloncesto Torrelodones) sank a 15-foot jump-shot at the buzzer to take a 59-53 lead.

The Miners were able to keep their lead through half of the fourth quarter before the Screaming Eagles came charging back.

After seven consecutive points from Morgan Sherwood and Ashley Johnson, Southern Indiana regained their lead with 4:45 left in regulation. USI would outscore S&T 12-4 in the final minutes of the game to take the 79-70 win.

Laura Rodriguez (Gran Canaria, Spain/Baloncesto Torrelodones) had a big game today, collecting 23 points and going 9-15 from the field while Mykala Baylor (South Bend, Ind./Clay) picked up her 12^th double-double of the season with 13 points and a career best 18 rebounds and adding in four blocks. Marta Durk (O'Fallon, Ill./O'Fallon Township) also hit a career best with seven assists dished out.

Missouri S&T (7-14, 3-11 GLVC) finished the game shooting 47% from the field and 45% from long range.