ST. LOUIS – [Box Score] The Missouri Baptist men's basketball team dropped the finale of the Columbia Classic to Avila University, 86-75. The Spartans dropped to 1-7 on the season, while the Eagles improved to 4-4.

Missouri Baptist shot .429 in the contest, while hitting 5-of-17 three-point shots. The Spartans narrowly lost the rebounding battle, 36-35. Avila made 25-of-58 shots from the field (.431), and made 6-of-20 from three-point territory.

Chris Buzzell carried the load for the Spartans, netting 23 points on 5-of-13 from the field, 2-of-6 from deep range, and 11-of-13 from the charity stripe. The sophomore also pulled down two rebounds, dished three assists, and played nearly 25 minutes.

Stephen Buckner II scored 15 points on 4-of-9 from the floor, 2-of-4 from three-point range, and 5-of-6 from the free throw line. The junior recorded three rebounds and had three assists.

Senior Adrian Kuyinu was the third Spartan to record double figures in points. He scored 12 points on 5-of-9 from the field and 2-of-4 from the charity stripe. He pulled down four rebounds, posted one block, and one steal.

The lead for either team over the first ten minutes of the contest stayed within two possessions, but the final ten minutes was all Eagles. They took the largest lead of the half at 35-23 with just over six minutes left and never slowed down.

Missouri Baptist cut the deficit to just three points with 2:31 left when Bryce Weibrecht hit two free throws to shrink the deficit to 38-35.

The Spartans trailed at the break, 41-36.

Missouri Baptist began to chip at the Eagle lead over the first ten minutes of the half, but did not get within one possession until 12:13 left in the game when Buzzell sank a free throw. That cut the Avila lead to 55-53.

With 9:30 left in the game, Buckner splashed a three-ball to cut the deficit to 61-60 and Buckner hit 1-of-2 free throws with 8:48 left to tie the game at 61-61.

The teams traded point over the next three minutes until Avila went on an 11-2 run to take a 78-69 lead with 2:27 left in the contest.

Missouri Baptist was unable to make a run at the lead and ended on the wrong end of the scoreboard when the clock hit zeroes, 86-75.

The Spartans will travel to Williams Baptist on December 4.