ROLLA, Mo. - The Missouri S&T women's basketball team defeated the Lady Panthers of Principia 73-45 in its last non-conference matchup of the season Friday afternoon in Gibson Arena.
The Miners (7-5) began the decision with a quick 4-0 run after a pair of layups by Michaela Davis (Keokuk, Iowa/Keokuk) and Anna Finley (Owensville, MO/Owensville). Paige Fowler would cut the lead to one after a three-point field goal, but S&T responded with a 9-0 run that was started on a three-point basket by Laura Rodriguez (Gran Canaria, Spain/Baloncesto Torrelodones). The Miners closed the first quarter on a 12-3 run which led to a 25-11 advantage after 10 minutes of action.
Over the first four minutes in the second quarter, the Miners and Lady Panthers essentially exchanged baskets. The Lady Panthers scored five straight points midway through the period before a Finley layup increase the S&T lead back to 14. The Miners took a 15-point lead of 37-22 at the half following a free throw by Morgan Lueberring with 38 seconds remaining before halftime.
Coming out of the half, the Miners hit the accelerator and broke the game wide open as they outscored the Panthers 22-2. S&T scored the first 10 points of the period, then scored the final 12 to take a 59-24 advantage in the fourth quarter. In the final period, S&T was able to stretch its biggest lead of the game to 37 on an Alex Kerr (St. Louis, MO/St. Joseph's Academy) jump shot 16 seconds into the period.
The Miners were led in scoring by Finley and Rodriguez as they both finished the decision with 12 points; Finley also recorded a team-high five steals. Kristen Keys (St. Louis, MO/Westminster Christian Academy) contributed 11 points while shooting five-of-14 from the field. Alex Kerr (St. Louis, MO/St. Joseph's Academy) was able to secure her 27th career double-double as she added 10 points while securing a team-high 15 rebounds as she also finished the month of December by averaging 15 points and 12.8 rebounds in S&T's four contests. Every S&T player received at least two minutes of action in this decision where S&T outscored the Panthers 40-8 in in the paint and scored 27 points from turnovers.
The Lady Panthers were led in scoring by Brin Hultz with 10 points while adding two blocks for Principia. Paige Fowler and Taylor Brown each contributed nine points while Fowler hauled in nine rebounds. Leading the Lady Panthers in rebounding was Ariana Williams as she secured a team-high 12 rebounds. As a team, Principia shot 28.6 percent from the field while shooting 35 percent from behind the arc.
The Miners will begin the new year by hosting Maryville University for a GLVC matchup on Thursday at 5:30 p.m in Gibson Arena.
