ST. LOUIS – [Box Score] A 10-0 lead over the first seven minutes of play was all that Benedictine-Springfield needed to defeat Missouri Baptist tonight in the AMC men's basketball opener. The Bulldogs defeated the Spartans, 79-70, dropping the MBU record to 1-4, and 0-1 in AMC play.

Missouri Baptist shot a respectable .403 from the floor, knocking down 27-of-67 shots. The Spartans hit 9-of-29 from deep territory and made 7-of-10 charity shot attempts. The hot-shooting from the get-go was the difference for Benedictine. They shot 51 percent from the floor in the first half and 50 percent in the contest. The Bulldogs won the rebounding battle, 45-32.

Junior guard Stephen Buckner and sophomore guard Chris Buzzell led the Spartans with 17 points each. Buckner made 6-of-19 shots from the field and hit 2-of-9 from 3-point land. He led MBU with six rebounds, with three in the offensive zone. Buzzell drained 6-of-14 shots from the field and hit 3-of-8 from deep range.

Senior Adrian Kuyinu netted 16 points on 6-of-12 shooting from the field and 2-of-4 from 3-point territory. He pulled down five rebounds and co-lead with five assists.

After facing a 10-0 deficit over the first seven minutes, the Spartans were unable to draw within one possession until 14 minutes left in the second half when Buzzell's lay-up cut the Bulldog lead to 47-44.

Stephen Buckner's traditional three-point play with 4:11 left in the game cut the deficit to 68-64, but the Bulldogs put the game out of reach with an 8-0 run over the next three minutes.

Missouri Baptist will host its first American Midwest Conference game on Saturday, when the Spartans take on Hannibal-LaGrange at 4:00 pm.