ROLLA, Mo.— The top-ranked Drury Lady Panthers kept their record perfect with a 104-70 win over Missouri S&T on Saturday in Rolla.
Drury improved to 24-0 and 14-0 in the Great Lakes Valley Conference while dropping the Lady Miners to 9-12 and 5-9 in the league.
The Lady Panthers got off to a quick start as Hailey Diestelkamp scored 15 of her game-high 26 points in the opening quarter while Drury claimed a 29-16 at the end of the first period. After leading 48-33 at the half, the Lady Panthers provided the knockout punch in the third quarter with a 39-point third period and led by as much as 37 in the second half.
“I was pleased with our energy from the get-go,” said Drury head coach Molly Miller. “I thought the first possession of the game set the tone when we were able to take away their passing lanes and force a turnover.”
In addition to her 26 points, Diestelkamp added seven rebounds, six steals, four assists, and a blocked shot. The junior from Owensville went 10 for 20 from the field, 2 for 4 from three-point range, and she made all four of her free throw attempts. Diestelkamp also climbed to eighth place on Drury’s all-time scoring list in the game passing Hope Hunt (2000-05) on the all-time chart.
Paige Robinson added 19 points, Lauren Holmes matched a season-high with 15 points, and Brooke Stanfield added 12. The Lady Panthers shot 48 percent from the field in the game hitting 39 of 81 attempts while going 12 for 25 from three-point range.
“I was really pleased with our three-point shooting,” added Miller. “I thought Lauren Holmes had a great game and it was good to see shots fall for her.”
Maddie Raley led Missouri S&T with 18 points, and Mykala Baylor put up a double-double with 10 points and 10 rebounds.
Drury forced the Miners into 31 turnovers, though, and the Lady Panthers surpassed 100 points in a game for the fourth time this season and for the second time in their last three games. It was also the second time this year Drury topped the century mark against Missouri S&T after their 113-61 win over against the Miners on Dec. 1.
The Lady Panthers are back on the road as they travel to the University of Missouri-St. Louis on Thursday for a 5:30 p.m. game.
