MOBERLY, Mo. – [BOX SCORE] Missouri Baptist hit its free throws in the final minutes to hold off Asbury University 73-66 Friday night in the Central Christian (Mo.) Classic behind a season-high 20 points from John Caraballo.

The Spartans (5-4) shot nearly 52 percent from the field to notch their second straight victory. Asbury (7-6) took a late second-half lead, but couldn't hit enough shots down the stretch to top Missouri Baptist.

Thanks in part to the return of 7-0 center Isaiah Cotton, the Spartans limited the Eagles to 35.8 percent shooting overall and a 29.3 percent clip from 3-point range. Cotton scored six points in 11 minutes in his first game since Nov. 24. The Spartans went 1-3 while he was sidelined with an ankle injury.

Stephen Buckner gave Missouri Baptist an early 4-3 lead with 17:59 remaining in the first half after Asbury hit the first bucket of the game. The Spartans would maintain control and wouldn't relinquish that lead until Will Henderson hit a mid-range jumper to put the Eagles up 58-57 with 6:25 left in the game.

Asbury used a 20-10 run to erase a nine-point deficit earlier in the half via two 3-pointers and strong defense. However, following the bucket by Henderson, Will Harrington found Caraballo deep in the point for an easy two to give Missouri Baptist a 59-58 lead the very next possession.

Caraballo scored a season-high 20 points and came one rebound shy of a double-double. He recorded 10 points in each half on 9-of-12 shooting overall. Harrington dished out a team-high four assists and finished with 12 points. Buckner and Chris Buzzell joined the duo in double figures with 12 points each.

The answer by Asbury clanked off the rim and Buzzell responded on the other end with a huge 3-pointer to put Missouri Baptist up four 62-58. Buzzell shot a perfect 5-for-5 from the field including both of his shot from distance. The junior has hit 10 of his 13 attempts from 3-point range in the last three games.

The final 3:50 largely came down to defense and free-throw shooting and the Spartans outscored the Eagles 11-5 during that stretch. Buckner and Harrington each recorded four points from the charity stripe and Caraballo added another to seal the win.

The Spartans shot an even 50 percent in the first half to take a 34-28 advantage at halftime. They return to action on Saturday against the host team Central Christian College at 4:00 pm.