Box Score ST. LOUIS – [BOX SCORE] Hot shooting carried the Spartans to a 120-51 blowout win over Lincoln Christian College Tuesday night.
The Spartans (3-0) shot 62.7 percent from the field and scored 60 points in each half. Bus troubles for Lincoln Christian caused the game to tip roughly 100 minutes later than scheduled, but for those that stuck around inside R. Alton Lacey Gymnasium, it was certainly worth the wait.
A David Gabrovsek bucket to open the game ensured the Spartans wouldn't trail at any point. The Red Lions found themselves trailing 10-4 at the 16:25 mark and then a 44-13 run carried the home team the rest of the way.
Led by Luke Call and Chris Buzzell, the Spartans used the 3-point ball to pull away from Lincoln Christian. In a four minute span, Call hit five consecutive 3-pointers and finished with 17 points in the first half. The sophomore added another triple in the second half for a career-high 20 points. Buzzell had two 3-pointers in the first half and finished with a game-high 23.
Jahmouri Robinson helped set up several of Call's 3-point buckets and ran the offense for the Spartan second unit. The freshman had 10 assists in the first half alone and ended the night with 13 dimes, three shy of the school record. Robinson also had three steals in the first half, one in which MBU forced 12 turnovers. The home team led 60-26 at the halftime break.
MBU continued its hot shooting in the second half and the high octane offense produced similar results. They put up another 60 spot and limited the Lions to 21.6 percent shooting.
Freshman James McKelvin led the way offensively with 14 second-half points and two thunderous dunks. The youngster brought the home crowd to its feet on two separate occasions after flushing home a fast break finish. McKelvin finished with 17 points on 7-of-14 shooting.
A bucket from Will Harrington put MBU ahead 77-33 with 14:34 remaining to pave way for the Spartan bench to finish things up. All 14 Spartans found the court and the scoring column. Junior Johnny Benson had an impressive home debut, finishing the night with 16 points on an efficient 7-of-8 shooting and six rebounds. Gabrovsek also finished in double figures with 10 points.
As a team, the Spartans turned the ball over just eight times and found themselves +20 in the rebounding battle. They'll have a week off before returning to non-conference play at home against St. Ambrose. Tip on Nov. 22nd is set for 7:00 pm.
