ST. LOUIS – Missouri Baptist women's basketball had a rough second half and shot under 40 percent in a 77-52 loss to Lyon College on Tuesday.

Missouri Baptist (10-16) had difficulty stopping the potent Scot offense all evening in Batesville, Ark., and was not able to erase the seven-point Lyon lead at halftime.

MBU began the game firing on all cylinders. Kristyne Smyth led the game with a three-pointer for the Spartans and came right back on the next possession to give her team a quick five point lead. This was the high-water mark for the team on the night.

Lyon went on an 11-2 run from that point, led by three consecutive three-pointers by Phagen Altom, Christine Smith and Gabby Jenkins and took a 9-7 lead. The Scots continued to extend the advantage and put together another 11-2 run to take a 20-9 lead with 12:06 remaining in the first half.

Just three minutes later, MBU had reduced the deficit to four points, but was unable to maintain its upward momentum. The team ended the half down 35-28 after outscoring the Scots 9-6 in the final five minutes.

As the second half got underway, the Spartans hung right with Lyon, trailing by no more than nine in the first six minutes, but the Scots soon took over. Led by Debbie Onukwube, Lyon extended its lead to double digits and never looked back.

For the Scots, four players ended the evening in double figures. Smith (10 points), Altom (11 points), Taylor Grigg (11 points) and Onukwube (18 points) combined for 50 of the teams' 77 points. In the second-half alone, Lyon shot 65 percent from the field.

Missouri Baptist was led by Kristyne Smyth. The junior guard tied a career high with 25 points and shot over 56 percent in the game. She was the lone Spartan who finished with double-digit point totals on the evening.

Things don't get much easier for the Spartans as the team will have a difficult test on home court on Thursday against No. 17 Columbia College. Game time is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. at the Carl and Deloris Petty Sports and Recreation Complex.