ST. LOUIS, Mo. - Missouri Baptist men's basketball had another rough outing against the No. 21-ranked Evangel University Crusaders on Friday night. The Spartans shot just 33 percent from the floor in the first half on the way to a 67-86 defeat on the road.

Missouri Baptist (2-3) had defensive lapses throughout the game, leading to the lopsided loss. Through the first 10 minutes of the first half, MBU not only held their own, but led the favored Crusaders. Matt Holmes drained a big three at the 11:36 mark to give MBU ta three-point lead.

As the half continued however, things quickly went south for Missouri Baptist. Evangel finished with a 19-8 run led by the hot shooting of Brodie Wingert and J.J. Williams to take a 39-27 lead heading into the break.

In the second half, Missouri Baptist's shooting improved and Kalvin Lewis made every attempt to lead the Spartans back into the game. The junior posted 16 of his 20 points on the night in the second frame. 

Missouri Baptist, however, continued to have issues defending the high-octane offense of Evangel. The Crusaders posted 47 second-half points on their way to the 19-point victory.

For Evangel, Zach Kline and Stephen Cotton led the team combining for 32 points in the game. Kline finished the game with a double-double (15 points, 10 rebounds).

Lewis led Missouri Baptist in his 20-point, five rebound effort followed by Matt Holmes who had 10 points. As a team, MBU shot 44 percent from the field, but just 5-18 from behind the arc.

Next up for the Spartans will be a home exhibition game against Logan College on Saturday before returning to the road against Grace College next Friday at 2:00 p.m.