ST. LOUIS – [BOX SCORE] Missouri Baptist women's basketball led by as many as six in the first half, but could not hold a two-point lead in the final 20 minutes as the team dropped its first game of the new year,

Missouri Baptist (3-9, 3-5 AMC) found success in the first half, after shooting over 47 percent, but the Pirates responded. Park outscored Missouri Baptist 37-23 in the second half to grab its fourth American Midwest Conference win of the season.

The Spartans used a 7-0 run to give themselves a 27-21 lead with just under two minutes remaining in the opening half, but struggled to maintain its pressure in the second.

Taylor Klingelhoefer led all scorers on the court on Thursday evening with 15 points, just slightly under her season average of 15.18. Jerica Hawkins chipped in 13 for MBU, which rounded-out the players in double digits for the visiting team.

Park was led by Jordan Brown and Lauren LaBonde. The duo combined for 22 points, while Christy Saldana was a perfect 5-5 from the floor with 10 points.

Turnovers, however, ultimately came back to bite Missouri Baptist in the end. The team finished with 32 turnovers, of which the Pirates converted into 25 points on the night.

The Spartans did, however, have on of their best games from behind the arc this season. The team shot 50 percent (4-8), but it was Klingelhoefer who accounted for the majority. The junior went 4-7 from three-point range on the night.

Missouri Baptist will have just 48 hours to regroup as it will prepare for a Saturday afternoon matchup against Columbia College. Tip-off is scheduled for 2:00 p.m. in the Southwell Complex in Columbia, Mo.