The State Fair women’s basketball team maintained their perfect record, improving to 20-0 with a hard-fought victory against Mineral Area College, finishing 68-62 on December 20, 2025. The match, held in Park Hills, showcased a competitive spirit as the Cardinals made several attempts to overcome a significant deficit.
Mineral Area, ranked 12th, rallied impressively to tie the game twice, but crucial three-pointers from Ellie Buscher and Chloe Reed helped the Roadrunners secure the win. State Fair’s ability to force 20 turnovers, while only committing 11, proved vital in maintaining their lead despite a brief lapse that saw them lose a 14-point advantage.
Buscher contributed significantly to the victory, scoring 15 points and grabbing seven rebounds. Sophia Edwin added 14 points, while Zoe Newland played a pivotal role by pressuring the Cardinals into critical mistakes in the final moments of the game. Mariah Dallas led Mineral Area with a game-high 18 points, showcasing her skills in the paint and complementing her team’s rebounding efforts.
The game reached a turning point when Mineral Area’s P.J. Reutzel and Presley Holweg hit consecutive three-pointers, leveling the score at 50-50 with just under nine minutes remaining. Despite this momentum, the Cardinals struggled with their long-range shooting, finishing only 2-of-18 from beyond the arc.
As the game progressed, Buscher hit a crucial shot from straight away, and Carolyn Foster scored on back-to-back steals, extending State Fair’s lead to seven points. Dallas completed a tough three-point play on an assist from Casey Teague, bringing the score to 58-58 before Edwin’s go-ahead layup gave State Fair a slight edge.
With the score tight at 61-60, Dallas had a chance to further narrow the gap but missed an open shot. State Fair took advantage of their subsequent possession, where Reed hit a critical three-pointer, creating essential breathing room with just 19 seconds left. Mineral Area quickly responded with a layup from Teague, who finished the game with ten points, seven rebounds, and five blocks.
Reed’s free throws sealed the victory for the Roadrunners, while both she and Foster finished the game with nine points. Taylor Wilson also contributed with eight points, helping State Fair maintain a lead of 14-12 at the end of the first quarter.
The Cardinals’ Holweg had a notable performance, recording 12 points, 11 rebounds, and three steals, although she faced challenges with seven turnovers. Mineral Area’s bench players collectively scored 11 points, with Karma Jones providing a team-high six assists.
Despite the loss, Mineral Area demonstrated resilience, and their performance indicated potential for improvement moving forward. The team will now prepare for a rematch against Wabash Valley on Wednesday, which will temporarily take them out of regional play.
State Fair’s victory sets the stage for a significant matchup against Three Rivers on Tuesday, where both teams will be eager to assert their positions in the region.
