ST. LOUIS, Mo.- After leading 26-22 at the end of the first half, the Missouri Baptist women's basketball teams shooting went cold at the start of the second half, allowing MidAmerican Nazarene to take the lead and hold on for the 55-51 victory.
The Spartans gained the early 2-0 lead after a basket by Lauren Taylor, however, for the next 15:00 minutes, MBU had to play from behind. Then, with MidAmerica Nazarene leading 20-15 at the 6:40 mark, the Spartans made their move. The team went on an 11-0 run, capped off by a Mandy Kirby two pointer, to give them a 26-20 lead.
Missouri Baptist picked up their defense as well, holding the Pioneers to just one field in the final 6:00 minutes. At the end of the half, the Spartans forced nine turnovers, shot 35% from the field, out-rebounded the Pioneers 19-14 and were led by Kirby offensively with nine points and three assists.
Coming out in the second half, both teams started out cold from the floor, but MidAmerica Nazarene was able to tie the game up at 26-26 after a two point basket made by Kendra Flemming. The Spartans were finally able to get their first basket of the second half, as Kyesha Quarterman cut the lead down to 30-28, with just under 13:00 minutes left to go.
Then Kristyne Smyth was able to tie the game at 30-30 with a two pointer, however, MNU went right down the floor and Megan Balcom drained a three, giving the Pioneers the lead back at 33-30.
For the next 9:00 minutes, the Spartans trailed with their biggest deficit being six, but the team didn't give up and were able to tie the game at 49-49, after a two point field goal made by Smyth. The Pioneers quickly regained a two point lead, with a basket by Flemming, but Jasmine Jackson and MBU answered right back, tying the game up at 51-51 with 1:51 left to go.
After two free throws made by Kelsey Balcom, MidAmerica Nazarene led 53-51 with .52 seconds left in the game. Kirby tried to give Missouri Baptist a lead, but her three point attempt missed and Daria Sprew got the important rebound, and then was fouled by Taylor.
MBU wasn't out of the game yet, as Kelsey Balcom missed the bonus free throw and Lauren Taylor got defensive rebound with .9 seconds left, giving the team a chance at a tie or a win. Kirby, however, turned the ball over to Sprew and the Spartans had no choice but to foul. Sprew made both free throws giving the Pioneers the 55-51 victory.
Even though the team started out offensively cold in the second half, they still shot 42% from the field. Lauren Taylor led all scorers with 15 points on 6-9 shooting and added two steals. Mandy Kirby had a big stat line with 14 points, seven assists and three steals. Kelsey Balcom led the Pioneers with 14 points, seven rebounds and two steals.
The teams' record falls to 1-3, but will look for their first road win when the Spartans travel to Missouri Valley College on November 20th. Tip-off will start at 7:00 p.m.
