LEBANON, MO — No. 9 Missouri S&T extended their winning streak to nine games, remaining unbeaten in GLVC play with an 84-69 victory over the McKendree Bearcats, improving to 10-0 in conference action.
McKendree came out strong, hitting a three-pointer within the first 15 seconds. However, Missouri S&T quickly regained control, scoring six unanswered points, with four of those coming from the free-throw line. A steal by Zac Brown (Collinsville, OK/Collinsville) later set up a dunk from Cameron Stovall (St. Louis, MO/Vashon), pushing the Miners ahead 11-5.
The Bearcats responded with a 10-4 run to tie the game at 15, but the Miners answered with an 8-0 spurt, capped by a three-pointer from Alex Benassi (Lee's Summit, MO/Lee's Summit). McKendree continued to battle, narrowing the lead to just two points, but Missouri S&T scored four quick points to re-establish a cushion. Despite McKendree's defensive efforts, which kept the game within seven points, the Miners went into halftime with a 48-40 lead after a last-second three from Blaise Beauchamp (Minnetonka, MN/Hopkins).
In the second half, McKendree mirrored their first-half performance, hitting a three on their opening possession. Missouri S&T responded with four consecutive points, gradually stretching their lead to 11. The Bearcats weren't finished, though, as Cha'Vez Woods knocked down a three-pointer that sparked a 12-2 run, cutting the Miners' lead to just one point with 7:31 remaining.
Lovell Williams (Rogers, MN/Maple Grove) answered with a three of his own, starting a crucial 16-3 run that gave S&T an eight-point lead with 90 seconds left. McKendree's Kevin Stein fought to keep his team in it, but the Miners held on, claiming their ninth straight victory by a final score of 84-69.
Stovall led the Miners with 16 points, shooting 66% from the field while grabbing 7 rebounds. Andrew Young (Ballwin, MO/Marquette) recorded his seventh double-double of the season with 14 points and 10 rebounds. After being outrebounded by five in the first half, S&T dominated the glass in the second half, finishing with a +11 rebound margin, collecting 28 boards after the break.
What's Next
The Miners play the second best team in the GLVC next week... hosting Lewis at 7:30pm on Thursday.
Follow Miners Basketball on X and Instagram at miners_mbb
