In a thrilling matchup on December 20, 2025, the unbeaten State Fair women’s basketball team improved to 20-0 with a hard-fought 68-62 victory over Mineral Area College in Park Hills. Despite a strong effort from the Cardinals, who rallied twice to tie the game, the Roadrunners secured their win with timely scoring and solid defensive play.
State Fair, currently ranked 12th nationally, showcased their defensive prowess by forcing 20 turnovers while committing only 11 of their own. The Roadrunners managed to recover from a challenging stretch that saw them squander a 14-point lead. The victory sets the stage for an important Region 16 showdown against Three Rivers on Tuesday.
Ellie Buscher led State Fair with 15 points and seven rebounds, while her teammate Sophia Edwin contributed 14 points. The duo’s ability to hit key 3-pointers in crucial moments helped maintain the Roadrunners’ edge. Zoe Newland played a pivotal role defensively, forcing back-to-back turnovers in the game’s final moments.
Mineral Area, with a record of 12-8 and 1-4 in the region, was led by Mariah Dallas, who scored a game-high 18 points. Dallas’s effectiveness in the paint complemented her team’s strong rebounding efforts, though the Cardinals struggled with their long-range shooting, finishing just 2-of-18 from beyond the arc.
The game was tightly contested throughout, particularly in the second half. After Presley Holweg and P.J. Reutzel hit consecutive 3-pointers to tie the game at 50-50 with 8:55 remaining, State Fair responded decisively. Buscher regained the lead for the Roadrunners with a critical three-pointer, while Carolyn Foster added layups off steals, extending the margin to seven points.
The closing minutes of the game saw Mineral Area clawing back, with Dallas scoring to bring the score to 61-60 following a State Fair turnover. Holweg, who recorded 12 points, 11 rebounds, and three steals, played a key role for the Cardinals despite missing a crucial shot late in the game.
In the waning seconds, Chloe Reed hit a vital three-pointer, extending State Fair’s lead to four points. After a quick response from Mineral Area’s Casey Teague, who finished with 10 points, Reed sealed the victory with free throws.
State Fair’s balanced scoring featured contributions from Foster and Reed, who each added 9 points. The Roadrunners’ success in the first quarter, leading 14-12, was bolstered by Taylor Wilson and Kamaree Pollard, who each had 8 points.
Mineral Area’s bench provided valuable support, contributing 11 points collectively, with Karma Jones leading the team in assists with 6. The Cardinals shot 16-of-24 from the free-throw line but will need to improve their shooting accuracy as they prepare for a road rematch against Wabash Valley in their next outing.
This matchup highlighted the competitive spirit of NJCAA women’s basketball, with both teams demonstrating resilience and skill throughout the contest. The Roadrunners will look to extend their unbeaten streak, while the Cardinals seek to bounce back in their upcoming games.
