ROLLA, Mo. – The Miners fell to GLVC opponent Lewis University in the first of Saturday's basketball doubleheader at Gibson Arena. After trailing by only one at the half, the Miners were unable to match the Flyers offensive efficiency down the stretch as Lewis' team was led by Grace Hilber who scored 30 points. In spite of the loss,
Katelynne Roberts (Edwardsville, IL/Edwardsville) had her seventh double-double of the season and her twenty-second game in row scoring in double digits.
1st Quarter:
Buckets from Roberts, Eryn Pruett, and
Chorus Davis (Kansas City, MO/Lincoln College Prep) put the Miners up 6-0 in the first few minutes of the game. The Flyers found their first points off of a three-pointer from Jenna Badali, but the Miners quickly extended their lead again with a second chance three from
Franchesca Metz (Downers Grove, IL/Nazareth Academy) to pull ahead 9-3 with 6:08 in the first. The Miners would lose the lead at 9-10 after a five minute scoring drought where Lewis scored all seven of their points off of turnovers. But S&T ended the quarter on a positive note with a four point run to reclaim the lead and head into the second up 13-10.
2nd Quarter:
The Flyers started the second on fire from behind the arc with Hilber hitting a pair of threes in the opening minute to go ahead 16-13 over the home team. The Miners also shot well in the second, but were plagued by turnovers that Lewis capitalized on. In spite of the errors, the Miners had a 30-28 with seconds left until halftime thanks to a layup from
Norah Gum (Waterloo, IL/Waterloo). However, the Flyers took advantage of their final possession of the half, hitting a last second three to take the lead again, 31-30 over the Miners heading into the half.
3rd Quarter:
Hilber hit another three to start the half, but the Miners responded with a 4-0 run to tie the game again, at 34-34. The Flyers put together a four point run of their own to go ahead but the Miners answered with a six point run to to take their first lead of the half with 3:48 left. Lewis' Hilber continued to be a threat though, scoring six points in just over a minute to help her team take a 47-42 lead over the Miners heading into the final quarter.
4th Quarter:
The Miners comeback plan was derailed when Hilber opened the fourth with another pair of threes to help put the Flyers up by thirteen. Coach
Kira Carter successfully used the media timeout to refocus her players as they would quickly cut into their opponents lead off a pair of threes from
Addyson Kent (North Vernon, IN/Jennings County) at a score of 48-55. The Miners were able to slow down Hilber down the stretch, eventually getting within five points of the Flyers with 2:01 left. Lewis hit baskets and free throws when it counted most though, extending their lead back to nine with just over a minute left and holding on to beat the Miners 72-63.
Katelynne Roberts (Edwardsville, IL/Edwardsville) had another successful game, recording her seventh double-double of the season (11 points/14 rebounds), setting a team season high for rebounds in a game with fourteen, and making today's game the 22nd in a row in which she scored in double digits.
Addyson Kent (North Vernon, IN/Jennings County) also had a memorable day, hitting a pair of threes to tie for eighth on the Miners record list for most three-pointers made in a single season.
The Miners will next play on Saturday, February 10th when they travel to St. Louis to play Maryville at 1 pm.
