ROLLA, Mo. – Drury shot 60% from the field in the first half, building a 54-25 lead over the Miners. The Miners would nearly match the Panthers' success in the second half, shooting 58.6% to keep the Panthers from pulling any further away en route to a 70-99 loss.
1st Quarter:
Addyson Kent (North Vernon, IN/Jennings County) started off the scoring in today's game, knocking down a three just over a minute in. The Miners would hold the lead for the next two minutes before a three-pointer by UAB-transfer Caitlynn Daniles gave the Panthers a 6-5 lead. Layups by
Katelynne Roberts (Edwardsville, IL/Edwardsville) and
Eryn Puett (Columbia, MO/Rock Bridge) pushed the Miners back ahead by three. The Miners would go on a cold shooting streak for the remainder of the first quarter, as the Panthers went on a 19-4 run to pull ahead 25-13.
2nd Quarter:
It looked like the Miners had received a reprieve from the Panthers' scoring run at the beginning of the second, with both teams combining for just four baskets in the opening three minutes. A nine-to-two run by the Panthers would extend their lead to 42-17 before a layup by Roberts would help the Miners find some rhythm for the rest of the half. The Miners would allow the Panthers to extend their lead by only two in the final three and a half minutes, entering the half down 25-54.
3rd Quarter:
The third quarter was the Miners' best of the night, outscoring the Panthers 22-20 and shooting 61.5% from the field. A pair of threes this quarter by Kent helped the Miners cut into the visitors lead slightly, the last of which came with 1:04 left in the quarter and cut the Panthers lead to twenty-two. Drury closed out the quarter on a 5-0 run to extend their lead to twenty-seven again heading into the final quarter.
4th Quarter:
The Miners shot well in the fourth quarter, just like the third, going nine of sixteen from the field and shooting at 56.3%. The Miners hot shooting in the fourth wouldn't be enough though, as the Panthers outshot them this quarter, shooting 68.8%. Unable to close the gap though, the Miners would utilize the opportunity to get some playing experience for their depth players, as they would go on to lose 70-99.
Roberts led the team in scoring with 20 points while also picking up two more blocks as she continues improving upon her spot in the record books. In another record chase, Kent hit 4 more three-pointers this game, as she closes in on the record for most three-pointers in a season, needing just 8 more in the final three games. The Miners were without
Franchesca Metz (Downers Grove, IL/Nazareth Academy) in today's game due to injury, so
Gabi Burgess (Bloomingdale, IL/Lake Park) was able to step into a starting role.
The Miners will be in Gibson Arena for their final home game of the season on Saturday at 1 p.m. They are hosting Southwest Baptist in the Military Appreciation/Senior Day game.
