ST. LOUIS – [Box Score] The Missouri Baptist men's basketball team needed all 40 minutes to earn a grinding, 77-70 victory over Benedictine-Springfield. The Spartans and Bulldogs traded leads three different times over the course of the contest.
Missouri Baptist (4-14, 3-8 AMC) turned the tables on the opponent. Throughout the season, the Spartans have shot an impressive percentage from the field, but allowed the opponent to catch fire for all 40 minutes. That changed tonight, as MBU shot .443 from the field and held the Bulldogs (8-11, 5-7 AMC) to a .381 field goal percentage. The Spartans made 27-of-61 from the floor, 4-of-15 from 3-point range, and a red-hot 19-of-22 from the free throw line. Missouri Baptist owned the glass, outrebounding Benedictine, 44-34.
Sophomore Chris Buzzell recorded his first double-double of the season. The Houston, Texas native led Missouri Baptist with season-highs of 27 points and 11 rebounds. Buzzell made 11-of-20 from the floor, just 1-of-4 from deep territory, but a perfect 4-of-4 from the line. He racked in four offensive and six defensive rebounds in 33 minutes of action.
Junior Stephen Buckner Jr. made 5-of-9 from the floor and 8-of-8 from the charity stripe en route to 18 points. He also posted four rebounds, three assists, and two steals.
Sophomore Stanley Eboh and freshman Josh Davis provided a big spark for the Spartans in the game. Eboh posted seven rebounds and four points, while Davis added five points and five rebounds.
Benedictine-Springfield led 13-9 with 14:04 left in the first half, but the Spartans used a gritty 17-3 run over the next 5:55 to take a 26-16 lead with 8:09 left. Josh Davis started the run by hitting 1-of-2 free throws, and ended the run by sinking back-to-back shots for the Spartans.
The two teams traded points until the Bulldogs chipped-away at the deficit and cut the MBU lead to 39-35 with just 48 seconds left in the half. The Spartans went into the halftime break with a 41-36 lead.
Buzzell led all scorers with 18 points at the break, which set the pace for MBU's 48 percent shooting from the field.
A 5-0 run to start the second half by the Bulldogs tied the game at 41-41, but Missouri Baptist quickly erased any thought of another loss.
Buckner gave the Spartans the lead for good after hitting a second chance layup with 17:03 left.
The Spartans extended the lead to eight points on three different possessions midway through the half, but the Bulldogs continued to stay within striking distance.
A massive three-ball from the Bulldogs cut the MBU lead to 57-54 with 11:28 left in the game, but the Spartans answered the call with a three pointer from Tywan Brooks on the next trip down the floor.
Adrian Kuyinu extended the lead to the largest of the half at nine points (67-58) with 8:28 left, but the Bulldogs continued to battle. Benedictine-Springfield finally cut the deficit to one possession with 2:36 left in the game.
On the next trip down the floor for the Spartans, Cody Hudson rimmed-out a three pointer, but Buzzell clawed-up the rebound. Head coach Ray Farrell called a timeout after the shot clock reset to a fresh 35 seconds. The next series of events left the entire gym puzzled. Buzzell began to drive to the lane, and a lot of contact ensued. One official signaled a charge on Buzzell, while the other official called a block on the Bulldog player. After the officials discussed, they decided that the blocking foul occurred first, sending Buzzell to the free throw line and a chance at extending the lead. As the two teams lined-up for the attempts, the officials conversed once again, this time a lengthy discussion. The result ended with the both head coaches meeting at midcourt. The officials stated the the blocking foul and charge call were simultaneous fouls, and the possession arrow was brought into play. Instead of Buzzell shooting two free throws, the Bulldogs had possession and an opportunity at tying the game.
The Bulldogs missed on their trip down the floor and the Spartans burned the shot clock on its trip down the floor. Hudson missed the three-ball as the shot clock neared expiration, but Buzzell once again corralled the rebound. The Bulldogs fouled and Buzzell made both free throws with 23 seconds left in the game.
Stephen Buckner ripped the ball from Benedictine-Springfield on the next possession for the Bulldogs and then made both free throws to ice the contest.
The final horn sounded with the Spartans earning the 77-70 victory.
Since Missouri Baptist scored at least 75 points, all Spartan fans can head to Raising Cane's on Friday and utilize the buy-one-get-one-free deal.
The Spartans will travel to Hannibal-LaGrange on Saturday. Tipoff is set for 4:00 pm.
