LEBANON, MO – The Missouri S&T Miners defeated the McKendree Bearcats 79-65, improving their overall record to 11-5 and their conference record to 6-4. The loss marked the Bearcats' first home defeat to a Great Lakes Valley Conference opponent this season.

The Miners wasted no time in this one, jumping out to a 7-0 lead just over two minutes into the game, prompting an early timeout from McKendree. Despite a stronger defensive effort by the Bearcats, they didn't register their first points until a jumper by Baylie Parks at the 6:27 mark. Missouri S&T capitalized on McKendree's slow start with a pair of baskets by Norah Gum (Waterloo, IL/Waterloo) and a three-pointer from Addyson Kent (North Vernon, IN/Jennings County), pushing their lead to 14-4. However, McKendree clawed back with an 8-1 run to narrow the gap to three points.

The Miners responded by unleashing a 10-2 run to claim their largest lead of the half at 11 points. Although back-to-back three-pointers by the Bearcats threatened to close the gap, crucial baskets by Morgan Luebbering (St. Thomas, MO/Fatima) and Adrianne Tolen (West Lafayette, IN/West Lafayette) helped S&T maintain a seven-point cushion heading into halftime.

In the second half, the Miners took control early. McKendree managed just one field goal in the first four minutes, allowing S&T to stretch their lead to 42-31. Despite a stronger offensive effort from the Bearcats in the third quarter, the Miners kept pace, extending their advantage to 13 points by the end of the period, with Anna Finley (Owensville, MO/Owensville) contributing eight critical points.

McKendree briefly cut their deficit to single digits in the fourth quarter, with Parks' jumper making it a 61-52 game at the 6:58 mark. However, the Miners stopped the Bearcats momentum quickly though as Kent drilled another three-pointer, sparking a decisive 10-0 run. That burst gave S&T their largest lead of the game at 71-52, silencing the home crowd. The Miners closed out the game with strong defense and clutch free-throw shooting, securing the 79-65 victory.

Norah Gum (Waterloo, IL/Waterloo) led the Miners in scoring again, recording 14 points and 8 rebounds. Luebbering, Finley, and Katelynne Roberts (Edwardsville, IL/Edwardsville) each put up 13 points, with Roberts also tacking on a trio of blocks. Additionally, Ava Maner (Rogers, AR/Providence Academy) recorded a career-high seven points.

What's Next
Home games against Lewis and UIndy are in store for the Miners next week.

Follow Miners Basketball on X and Instagram at miners_wbb