ROLLA, Mo. – A big first half proved to be enough for Missouri S&T's men's basketball team to get past Baptist Bible Tuesday night by a count of 102-91 at Gibson Arena.
The Miners (5-2) racked up 62 points in the first half, shooting 59.5 percent over the first 20 minutes and hitting eight three-pointers along the way.
Julien Smith (Fort Worth, TX/Northwest) and
Ikenna Okeke (Bolingbrook, IL/Romeoville) did much of the damage on the offensive end, as Smith scored 20 points in the half and Okeke added 16.
It did take a while for the Miners to get going against the Patriots (3-6) – who were playing the contest as an exhibition game – as they trailed 19-17 nearly midway through the first half and still led by just one at the 9:15 mark. But beginning with two free throws by
Andrew Young (Ballwin, MO/Marquette), the Miners ran off 12 straight points to take a 13-point lead in a span of just over two minutes, then finished the half by outscoring the Patriots 25-14 to take a 62-40 lead to halftime.
S&T wasn't as crisp after the break, allowing Baptist Bible to play on even terms with the Miners for a good portion of the second half. The Miners' largest lead came at the 7:15 mark when they led 93-67, but the Patriots used some hot shooting to get the final margin down to 11 as they made 56.7 percent of their shots over the final 20 minutes.
The Miners ended the game at 51.4 percent from the field and had five players in double figures, led by Smith and Okeke with 20 points apiece.
Alex Benassi (Lee's Summit, MO/Lee's Summit) finished with a season-high 13 points, while
Kaden Froebe (Lincoln, IL/Lincoln) added 11 and
Lovell Williams (Rogers, MN/Maple Grove) had 10 to go along with six assists.
S&T also had a 10-rebound advantage in the contest and forced 21 turnovers that resulted in 28 points.
Jacques Thomas had 22 points to lead Baptist Bible in the scoring department.
Missouri S&T continues its homestand Saturday when it returns to Great Lakes Valley Conference play, hosting Maryville in a 3 p.m. game at Gibson Arena.
