Walnut Ridge, Ark. - Missouri Baptist men's basketball led Williams Baptist by three at the half, which proved to be the difference, as the Spartans won the opener of conference play on Thursday, 77-74.

Going into the game, the Spartans were ranked second in the conference and looked to keep pace with Columbia College. The teams played an evenly matched game from the outset, but Missouri Baptist was able to hang onto a three-point lead heading into the half. 

In the second frame, MBU's Dezmon Hickman began to come to life. The Collinsville, Ill. native led all Spartans with 19 points and eight rebounds after a slow, first-half start. Hickman, along with Erik Hunter, propped-up the Spartan offense over the course of the evening, leading the team to a victory.

Missouri Baptist cashed-in on WBC turnovers, which helped to turn the tide in the game. The Spartans had 15 points off turnovers compared to the Eagles' six. 

Williams Baptist did make it difficult for its opponent late in the game, however. The Eagles overcame a nine-point deficit with just nine minutes remaining. The team, led by an outstanding 81% free throw percentage and a 22-point performance by Cordarius Smith, came close, but fell just short.

The Spartans remain second in the AMC after the victory and will look to make it two in a row on Saturday when the team returns to St. Louis to play Harris Stowe in an away matchup.