Minot pulls away, posts win over Miners

PIKEVILLE, KY. – East Kentucky, playing on its home floor Monday night, couldn’t snap a two-game losing streak. The Miners dropped their third straight game, falling to American Conference frontrunner Minot at the East Kentucky Expo Center. In a game that went back and forth in the first half, Minot managed to pull away late, defeating the Miners, 108-96.

After outscoring East Kentucky 37-28 in the opening quarter, Minot escaped the first half with a 52-50 lead.

Former Farragut Academy standout Ronnie Fields paced Minot with a game-high 29 points. Fields was one of six Minot players to reach double figures scoring. The Chicago native is a CBA veteran.

Kevin Rice added 18 points for the Sky Rockets.

Minot outscored East Kentucky in each of the last two quarters.

Boo Jackson led East Kentucky with a team-best 19 points. Josh Pace followed with 18 points for the Miners. Bryant Northern scored 17 points, Marcus Heard flipped in 16 and Jason McLeish added 15 for host East Kentucky.

The Sky Rockets outrebounded the Miners 43-35.

Minot prevailed 6-1 in the quarter points category.  The Sky Rockets were 25-for-41 from the free throw line.

East Kentucky has three upcoming games scheduled versus Minot. The Miners are set to travel to Minot for a two-game series Thursday, Dec. 13-Friday, Dec. 14.

East Kentucky will host Minot Sunday, Dec. 17.