ST. LOUIS – Missouri Baptist women's basketball outshot Hannibal-LaGrange in the first half on Saturday afternoon, but had a slow second-half in a 58-53 loss in Hannibal, Mo.
Missouri Baptist (10-20) trailed by five after one half of basketball though the team shot 50 percent as opposed to the Trojan's 43.
In the first half, MBU trailed by as many as 12, but whittled the Trojan lead all the way down to five thanks to a 6-0 run in the last minute of play. As the second period of play got underway, the Spartans contained Hannibal-LaGrange much more effectively.
The second half was much better defensively for MBU as the offense deteriorated. The Spartans shot just 36 percent, but came within one of the lead from a layup by Jasmine Jackson with five minutes left on the clock, but that was as close as the team would get.
Ashleigh Spencer, who finished with 25 points and seven rebounds, led Hannibal-LaGrange. Maddy Cunningham added 13 points while Trenee Thornton posted 10 of her own to round-out the scorers who reached double-digits.
Missouri Baptist's Lauren Taylor finished with 11 points an two steals. She was the lone Spartan to reach double figures.
Missouri Baptist will now wait for Park to play Stephens College on Sunday evening to determine the final bracket of the AMC Tournament. MBU is currently in seventh place in the conference and stands to host a game even with a Park win.
The first round of the AMC Tournament for Missouri Baptist will tentatively be played on Monday, Feb. 25 at 7:00 p.m. in the Carl and Deloris Petty Sports and Recreation Complex.
