MOBERLY, Mo. – [BOX SCORE] The Spartans limited Central Christian College to 17 second-half points to help erase a 17-point halftime deficit in the team's 58-50 win Saturday night.

Missouri Baptist (6-4) trailed 33-16 at halftime before rallying to win its third straight game. The Spartans struggled mightily offensively in the opening 20 minutes, but kicked it into high-gear in the second half of the come-from-behind victory.

Whatever message head coach Matt Brock sent his team at halftime, the Spartans responded. John Caraballo started the half off with a bucket off an assist from Will Harrington to cut the deficit to 33-18. The Saints still led 37-24 with 15:47 to go after a bucket from Labarin Eaton, but then the Spartans made a run.

David Gabrovsek capped a 16-6 Missouri Baptist run with a three-point play after finishing a layup through contact. Gabrovsek had a team-high 15 points and eight rebounds in the win. Stephen Buckner joined Gabrovsek in double-figures with 14 points and four assists.

A 3-pointer from Galeel Lee extended the Saints lead back to double-digits at 44-34 with 9:00 remaining, but the Spartans had one final run in them. Luke Call's only basket cut the deficit back to seven and sparked a 24-6 run to end the game.

The Spartans took their first lead since the opening minutes of the first half after Pablo Hernandez scored with 4:15 to go to make it a 49-48 game. Will Harrington hit a 3-pointer on the next Spartan possession and Missouri Baptist never looked back.

Buckner and Hernandez combined to score the Spartans final six points in the win. Defensively, Missouri Baptist limited the Saints to just 17 points after halftime and 18-for-48 shooting overall. Despite the first half struggles, the Spartans still managed to shoot 41 percent overall, helped by the team's 42-point second half output.

The stout Spartan defense also forced 20 turnovers, a majority of those in the final 20 minutes. They return to conference play Dec. 17 against Lyon College on the road. Tip is set for 7:30 pm.