ST. LOUIS, Mo. – Missouri Baptist women's basketball shot just 39 percent from the floor, but was able to maintain a lead throughout the second-half en-route to a 66-57 win at home on Thursday against Park University.
Missouri Baptist (8-14) was hot from the beginning of the game and continued a trend of phenomenal first-half play. The Pirates hit its first shot of the game, a three-pointer by Brianna Beridon, but from that point forward, it was all Spartans. MBU's Mandy Kirby answered on the next possession with a three of her own to tie the game.
The Spartans built a 12-8 lead after the first five minutes and were especially strong on the boards. Jasmine Jackson, who was coming off a 17-point, 15-rebound performance against Hannibal-LaGrange on Saturday, was big in the paint for the home team and led the squad with six of the team's 22 rebounds in the first half. By the end of the frame, MBU built a 33-22 lead heading into the break.
Park looked like a different team in the first eight minutes of the second half. The Pirates worked the MBU lead all the way down to 43-41 at the 11:42 mark of the period, after a 7-0 run. The Spartans answered back strong with a 12-0 run of their own and jumped back out to a 55-41 lead and never let-up.
MBU led the Pirates by no less than 9 for the remainder of the game and won 66-57. The Spartans held the Pirates to 27 percent shooting from the floor on a night where MBU shot just under 40 percent for the game. MBU improved to 8-14 on the season and 5-5 in the AMC, while Park moved to 7-12 on the season and 4-6 in the conference.
MBU was lead again by Jasmine Jackson who earned her second double-double in as many games with 12 points and 15 rebounds. Mandy Kirby led the team in scoring with 13 points. Kristyne Smyth made two three pointers and also had 12 points on the night.
Brianna Beridon led the scoring for Park University with 19 points, and was 10 for 13 from the line. Joanna Matthews drained three, three-pointers and scored 14 points for the Pirates.
The Spartans will look to keep the winning streak going on Saturday Feb. 2 when the Stephens College Stars come to St. Louis. Tip-off is set for 2:00 p.m. at the Carl and Deloris Petty Sports and Recreation Complex.
