ROLLA, Mo. -- The Miners defeated nationally-ranked Upper Iowa 90-86 tonight to improve to 5-0 for the first time since 2016-17. This was Missouri S&T's first victory over a nationally ranked team since 2019 when they beat #24 Northeastern State 76-75 on a last second three-pointer.
The game was a back-and-forth one, with 12 lead changes and 13 ties. Neither team led by more than 10 points at any point in the competition.
UIU's Noah King put up 7 points early, putting the Peacocks ahead by five points in the opening minutes of the game. The Miners quickly closed the gap with a 6-0 run to take a 12-11 lead at 13:39. The teams exchanged baskets in the ensuing minutes, with Upper Iowa eventually putting together a 15-6 run to take a 30-20 lead. A three from
Alex Benassi (Lee's Summit, MO/Lee's Summit) started a 14-1 run by S&T to cut put the Miners ahead 34-31 with five left in the first half. The Miners would lose the lead at 39-38 before contributions from Benassi,
Lovell Williams (Rogers, MN/Maple Grove), and
Aidan Burns (Thayer, MO/Thayer) helped them regain the lead at 48-43 before the half.
Upper Iowa would quickly eliminate the Miners lead at the start of the second half, tying the game at 52-52 three minutes in. Neither team would lead by more than 3 points in the ensuing 10 minutes, not until a quick four points from UIU's King game the Peacocks a 71-66 lead with seven minutes to go. Williams,
Andrew Young (Ballwin, MO/Marquette), and
Adam Rickman (Washington, MO/St. Francis Borgia) would combine for an 8-0 over the next two minutes to give S&T a lead at 74-71. Another lead change would put the Miners behind by two inside of three minutes, before a pair of free throws from Sroka tied the game at 78-78 with 1:43 left. A quick steal and layup from Benassi would help S&T take at 81-78 lead.
A foul by the Miners would allow Upper Iowa to cut it to a two-point game with 1:03. The Miners milked the clock on the following possession, with Benassi finding Sroka at the top of the key for a three-pointer that gave the Miners a two-possession lead with 0:37 left. The Peacocks would draw within three twice in the final seconds, but S&T won the game at the free throw line, going 6-of-8 to help hold on and win the game 90-86.
When asked about his critical three-pointer in the final minute, Sroka said, "Right before that last possession, Young told me, 'You're gonna get open here on this possession. You're gonna get open at the three and you're gonna knock it down, cause I have faith in you.' I have been playing basketball a long time, but that is the best moment I have ever experienced."
What's Next
The Miners conclude GLVC opening week with Quincy on Saturday at 3pm.
