ROLLA, Mo.—The Truman Men's Basketball team was back on the road Thursday night as they headed down to Rolla to take on Missouri S&T. The two squared off the first time since last January when Truman rolled to a 93-56 win at Pershing Arena. A much improved Miner team pushed the Bulldogs but ultimately Truman held on to win 81-72. Masen Miller led the Bulldogs with 23, while Cade McKnight returned and had 17. Elijah Hazekamp had a double-double with 10 points and 11 rebounds; which was a team high on the boards.

Hazekamp opened the game with a three pointer, and early on Truman jumped out to a lead. A dunk from Eric Northweather at the 11:28 mark of the first half pushed the lead to double digits at 16-6. The teams then traded four three pointers, with Hazekamp and Miller hitting for the Bulldogs. Seven straight points made it a three point game, but Truman answered with four point from the line from Keaton Mitchell and Miller. In the final three minutes of the half a 8-0 run for Truman gave them their biggest lead of the game at 14 points—a three from Hunter Strait and a three and layup from Miller. At half it was 36-24 Bulldogs.

Two early baskets in the second half for S&T made it an eight point game, but Miller answered again with a fast break jumper and a three to push the lead back to 13. Dylan Peeters got a putback layup and one to push the lead back to 14. Truman maintained their double digit lead most of the second half, but with 6:10 to go Julien Smith, who led all scorers with 26 points, hit a three to make it 63-59 in favor of the Bulldogs. At 2:21 the margin was still four points, but a 7-0 run from the Bulldogs all but ended the game with McKnight converting a three point play, then he and Strait each hitting two from the foul line. Truman would hold on and win the game by nine points.

Four Bulldogs scored in double figures: Miller, McKnight and Hazekamp were joined by Peeters; who had 10. Strait led with four assists and scored nine points. Northweather scored seven off the bench, Mitchell had three and Trey Shearer two points. Miller, Strait and Sam Nissen each recorded a steal while Peeters and Northweather each got blocked shot.

The Bulldogs will get a few days rest before hosting Drury on Monday afternoon, with a 3 pm tip off.