ST. LOUIS – Senior guard Kristyne Smyth torched the second-ranked team in the nation for 25 points, but Freed-Hardeman soundly defeated Missouri Baptist, 78-58.

Smyth recorded her season-high 25 points on 11-of-22 shooting from the field and 3-of-8 from deep range, while playing in all 40 minutes. Three other Spartans scored six points: Angela Talley, Haley Elders, and Kennedy Smith. Leslie Damper dished out a career-high six assists.

Missouri Baptist (4-8, 2-2) shot 40 percent from the field, making 24-of-59 shots. Freed-Hardeman (13-0, 5-0) shot 43 percent from the field, sinking 26-of-63 shots.

Haley Elders tied the contest 25-25 with 6:28 left in the half, the sixth time in the half that the game was even.

Freed-Hardeman went on a 13-3 run over the next 5:20 and held a 38-28 lead with just 1:05 left in the half.

Leslie Damper drained a three-pointer with 22 seconds left in the half, which sent the Spartans into the locker room trailing 38-31 at the halftime break.

Kristine Smyth was on fire in the frame, scoring 17 points on 7-of-8 shooting from the floor and 3-of-4 from deep range. Damper dished out five assists in the half as well.

Missouri Baptist shot 47 percent from the floor over the first 20 minutes, while the Lady Lions shot 40 percent from the field.

In the second half, the Spartans were unable to match the high-powered Lady Lions offense, as Freed-Hardeman outscored MBU 40-27 over the final 20 minutes of play.

Missouri Baptist shot 36 percent from the field in the second half, making 13-of-36 shots. The Lady Lions shot 47 percent from the floor, draining 11-of-23 shots and also making 17-of-23 shots from the charity stripe.

Smyth led MBU with eight points in the second half, but made just 4-of-14 shots from the floor in the frame.

The Spartans will face another ranked opponent on Saturday, when they travel to #25 William Woods at 2 pm.