Rolla, Mo. – Missouri S&T sophomore forward Bria Pierce (Overland Park, Kan./Blue Valley North) won the 2015 Black and Gold Talent Pageant hosted by Alpha Phi Alpha this past weekend. She was named Ms. Epsilon Psi and was awarded a $1,000 scholarship.

The pageant consisted of a talent competition, a dance, three walks (casual, business and formal) and a question in which the participants were asked their biggest contribution to the community. Pierce played the piano for the talent portion and for the answer to the question she said it's for the charity she's working on creating to help underprivileged youth in their academic and future careers.

Pierce and the Lady Miners open the basketball season on Saturday, Nov. 7 hosting Webster University in an exhibition contest beginning at 1 p.m.