ST. LOUIS – Freed-Hardeman was too much for the Missouri Baptist women's basketball team, as the nation's second-ranked team defeated the Spartans, 83-52.
Missouri Baptist (8-15, 6-9 AMC) shot just 36 percent from the floor, making 18-of-50 shots. The Spartans made 14-of-17 attempts from the charity stripe and pulled down 27 rebounds.
Freed-Hardeman (24-0, 16-0 AMC) made 33-of-72 shots from the floor, a 46 percent success rate. The Lady Lions sank 13-of-18 free throw attempts. FHU led the rebounding battle after pulling down 40 rebounds, including 12 in the offensive zone.
Senior guard Kristyne Smyth led the Spartans with 15 points. She hit 6-of-16 shots, drained 2-of-5 three-point shots, and sank her lone free throw attempt. She also had two of the Spartans four assists in the game.
Sophomore forward Jasmine Jackson scored 10 points on 5-of-8 shooting from the floor. She led the Spartans with seven rebounds, all in the defensive end.
The first half resembled a see-saw, as the game had six ties, and 13 lead changes.
MBU held a 9-8 lead with 13:55 after Haley Elders hit a mid-range jumper, but the Lady Lions went on a 6-0 to take a 14-9 lead.
The Spartans answered with a 5-0 to tie the game at 14-14 with 10:03 left in the half, as Kristyne Smyth netted all five points.
With 5:13 left in the half, Taylor Klingelhoefer made both free throw shots to give the Spartans a 24-23 lead.
Over the final 7:50 of the half, the Spartans committed seven turnovers and went 0-for-3 from the field, allowing Freed-Hardeman to end the half on a 9-0 run. The Lady Lions took a 32-24 lead into the halftime break.
Smyth led the Spartans at the half with ten points on 4-of-9 shooting from the floor, including 2-of-3 from deep range territory.
Unfortunately for the Spartans, the final 20 minutes were not as dramatic. Freed-Hardeman worked the lead up to 14 points over the first 5:23 of the half.
Missouri Baptist had a bit of a spark with 14:04 left in the game when Kennedy Smith was fouled after she hit a jumper. She made the free throw, shrinking the Freed-Hardeman lead to 45-34.
The Spartans trailed by 14 points once again, but Kristyne Smyth hit a jumper and got fouled with 11:07 left in the game. She made free throw, cutting the Lady Lion lead to 52-41.
The undefeated Lady Lions finished the final 10:59 on a 31-9 run, and ended the game on top, 83-52.
Missouri Baptist will host William Woods on Saturday at 2 pm. The Spartans defeated the owls 87-84 earlier this season.
