ROLLA, Mo. - The elementary and middle schools of the local school districts filled Gibson Arena with approximately 1,200 students, where the Miners used the home crowd to defeat Missouri Baptist 68-56 Monday morning for Education Day.
The Miners (6-5, 3-1 GLVC) started this decision on a quick 4-0 run after the first basket of the game was made by
Alex Kerr (St. Louis, MO/St. Joseph's Academy) followed by a pair of free-throws from
Michaela Davis (Keokuk, Iowa/Keokuk). However, Bryce Dowell of the Spartans responded with a three-pointer at the 6:32 mark to cut the deficit to one. S&T would respond with a 10-0 run, finished the quarter by outscoring MBU 7-3 by making all seven attempts from the free-throw line to take a 21-7 advantage heading into the second period.
The Miners were able to stretch its lead to 18 after a 15-foot jump shot by
Anna Finley (Owensville, MO/Owensville) before the Spartans responded with back-to-back baskets from Kasey Rice and Bryce Dowell to cut the deficit to 13. Over the last six minutes of the quarter, the Miners and Spartans essentially exchanged baskets as the Miners took a 37-21 lead into the break.
Over the first three minutes out of the break, the Spartans were able to cut the deficit to 12, but S&T responded with back-to-back baskets from
Eryn Puett (Columbia, MO/Rock Bridge) and Rodriguez to increase the lead back to 17. With two minutes remaining in the quarter,
Katelynne Roberts (Edwardsville, IL/Edwardsville) started a 4-0 run after a made free-throw attempt where
Lilli Machado (St. Charles, MO/Francis Howell) was able to give the Miners its biggest lead of the game of 20 after her successful second attempt from the free-throw line.
In the first two minutes of the fourth quarter, MBU completed an 8-0 scoring run after scoring the first five points in the quarter to cut the deficit to 12. At the 6:35 mark, however, Rodriguez started a 4-0 S&T run after knocking down a pair of free-throws and the Miners held off any late rally attempts by the Spartans, with
Anna Finley (Owensville, MO/Owensville) putting the game away for good after knocking down a pair of throws with 53 seconds remaining that gave the Miners a 14-point advantage.
For the game (MINERS):
Rodriguez led S&T with 18 points while shooting a perfect eight-of-eight from the free-throw line.
Alex Kerr (St. Louis, MO/St. Joseph's Academy) recorded her 26th career double-double as she contributed 15 points while bringing down a team-high 10 rebounds and adding three blocks.
Kristen Keys (St. Louis, MO/Westminster Christian Academy) concluded the decision with eight points while hauling down six rebounds. The Miners shot just 30.2 percent from the field and 24 percent from behind the arc, but did make 24-of-31 attempts from the free throw line.
Opponents Stats:
The Spartans (7-3) had two players finish in double-figures as Dowell led MBU with 14 points while netting three-of-the-five three-point field goals for the Spartans. Rice contributed 13 points while shooting five-of-10 from the field and Lauren Ebert added nine points. As a team, the Spartans shot 31.6 percent from the field, 29.4 percent from behind the arc and 77.4 percent from the charity strike. MBU was unable to take the lead at any point in the contest.
The Miners return to Gibson Arena on Dec. 30 for a non-conference matchup hosting Principia at 1 p.m.
