ST. LOUIS – [Box Score] In the first of three rounds between the two programs, Culver-Stockton defeated the Missouri Baptist men's basketball team, 91-81. The Spartans fell to 1-1 on the season, while the Wildcats improved to 2-0.
The Spartans shot .362 in the contest, posting nearly identical offensive statistics in each half. MBU made 12-of-33 shots from the field in the first half, while hitting 12-of-36 from the field in the second 20 minutes. The Wildcats won the rebounding battle, 57-42, but the Spartans won the turnover battle, 14-11.
Senior Adrian Kuyinu led the Spartans with 16 points on 3-of-8 from the field and 10-of-14 from the charity stripe. The Missouri City, Texas native pulled down a team-high seven rebounds and added two blocks in the game.
Junior guard Stephen Buckner II posted 15 points on 7-of-18 from the floor, including 1-of-3 from deep range territory. He added four rebounds, two on each end of the court.
Sophomore guard Chris Buzzell also recorded double-digits. He scored 15 points on 5-of-15 shooting from the field, and 2-of-6 from 3-point range. The Houston, Texas native hit on 3-of-5 from the free throw line.
Kuyinu hit a shot inside the paint with 15:31 left in the half to tie the score at 8-8, but the Wildcats would take over from there. They quickly scored seven-straight points over the next 1:04 to take a 15-8 lead, and never looked back.
After Culver-Stockton held a double-digit lead over the next 10:25, Kuyinu hit two free throws to cut the deficit to 38-29 with 5:18 left in the half.
The Wildcats ended the half on a 16-8 run and headed into the locker room with a 54-37 lead. Chris Buzzell hit a three pointer to end the half, part of a 15-point half for the returning American Midwest Conference Co-Freshman of the Year.
Culver-Stockton extended its lead to the largest of the night at 69-43 with 15:20 left in the game, but the Spartans never went away.
The Spartans trailed by 21 points (90-69) with 1:56 when Jake Terry knocked down a three. That sparked a 12-1 to cut the deficit to 91-81, but the Spartans ran out of time. Freshman Josh Davis made the most of his 3:54 time on the court. The forward from Houston, Texas scored all eight points during that span, including 6-of-8 from the charity stripe. He pulled down four rebounds over the final two minutes of the contest.
The Spartans outscored the Wildcats 44-37 over the final 20 minutes. Adrian Kuyinu led MBU with 12 points in the half. He hit on 8-of-12 shots from the free throw line and also ripped down six boards. Buzzell, after scoring 15 points in the first half, was held scoreless in the second half on 0-6 shooting from the floor.
Missouri Baptist and Culver-Stockton will play once again on November 12, at the SRC. The Spartans will look to find victory number two of the season before traveling to Rolla, Mo. on November 15 when they play NCAA Division II Missouri S & T in exhibition play.
