LIBERTY, MO  —  Missouri S&T built a double-digit first-half lead and battled to the final horn Saturday afternoon, but a last-second opportunity to force overtime rimmed out as the Miners fell to William Jewell, 78-76, at the Mabee Center.

The Miners wasted no time asserting themselves. Andrew Young (Ballwin, MO/Marquette) scored in transition on the opening possessions, and Blaise Beauchamp (Minnetonka, MN/Hopkins) knocked down an early three to cap an 8-0 run that forced a quick Jewell timeout.

S&T shot 45.5 percent from the floor in the opening half and 46.2 percent from three-point range, stretching the margin to as many as 10 with 8:25 to play in the first. The Miners were efficient inside and out, generating 16 paint points and connecting on six three-pointers to head into halftime up 39-35.

William Jewell responded with a surge to open the second half, hitting a few threes to put them up 48-45 in the early minutes. When the Cardinals pushed the lead to eight midway through the half, the Miners answered. Benassi drilled a three to cut into the margin, and Stovall converted four free throws to retake the lead 64-63 with 5:53 remaining.

Down the stretch, the teams traded big shots. Beauchamp buried a clutch three with 2:40 to play, and Young scored in the paint to keep it a one-possession game inside the final two minutes. Even after Jewell extended the lead late at the foul line, S&T continued to create opportunities. Beauchamp connected on a fast-break three with seven seconds remaining to trim the deficit to three. After a defensive stop and a successful free throw by Stovall cut it to two with one second left, the Miners earned one final second-chance look at the rim, but the putback attempt bounced out as time expired.

Young was a steady presence on the interior, finishing with 23 points and 11 rebounds for a double-double. Beauchamp caught fire in key stretches, finishing with 19 points on 5-of-7 shooting from three-point range. Four players reached double figures, led by Young's 23. Benassi added 11 points and six assists, while Stovall contributed 11 points and nine rebounds in a well-rounded effort.

What's Next
Missouri S&T returns home next week for Greek Night on the 19th vs Rockhurst and Military Appreciation Day on Saturday vs SBU.

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