ST. LOUIS – [BOX SCORE] It is safe to say that Briya Wilborn is feeling it. The junior took command from the tip on Thursday night in the first American Midwest Conference game of the season and pushed the pace to lead her team to a 61-56 win over the Stephens College (Mo.) Stars.
Missouri Baptist (2-1, 1-0 AMC) began the conference season on the right foot as the team posted the game's first two buckets. The Spartans jumped out to a quick 7-2 lead in the first three minutes of the game as they dominated the paint, but Stephens proved to be a tough customer in the first half.
The Stars pushed past some early jitters and came back to tie the game with three and a half minutes left in the second quarter at 22. As expected, Kendahl Adams led the squad after a two-game absence from the roster. The University of Missouri-St. Louis transfer netted 11 points in the first half to lead her team.
Briya Wilborn put her skills on display for the home crowd for the second consecutive night. The junior went 5-7 from the floor in the first half alone as she led the Spartans with 13 heading into the break.
Stephens took care of the ball down the stretch of the opening half of play, and combined with seven steals, took the lead as time expired. Mariah Briscoe knocked-down a clutch shot to send her team into the locker room with a 29-28 advantage.
Wilborn exited the locker room the same way she entered it for the Spartans. The Countryside, Ill., native netted the first two buckets out of the break, the second off a slick dish from Riley Reddin, and regained the lead.
The back and forth battle continued as both the Stars and Spartans traded blow after blow. That was, however until the 7:11 mark of the third quarter when Missouri Baptist began to pull away. The home team went on a 10-3 run as Amanda Scott and Shay Robinson combined for eight of the points to put their team up 45-37.
Missouri Baptist entered the final frame looking to build on a 49-39 lead after outscoring the Stars 21-10 after halftime. The Stars, however, had other ideas.
Stephens drained the first two buckets of the quarter as Sierra Prior and Chalee Britt both took advantage of good looks under the hoop. Their buckets cut into the Spartan lead and by the midway point, the Stars cut the deficit to just three points.
In the end, however, it was the Spartans' night. Stingy defense combined with smart play in the offensive zone in the final minutes helped Missouri Baptist to both its second win of the season and first in American Midwest Conference play.
Wilborn led the Spartans on the night with an impressive 19 points, a new career high. She finished 8-11 from the floor.
Kennedy Smith, though a light evening in the points column, was solid up and down the court. The senior finished with six points, three steals and four assists.
The Stars were led by Adams' 20 points. Britt followed with 10 and rounded-out the players in double digits.
Missouri Baptist will head out on the road for the first time this season in a tough matchup against NCAA Division II opponent, Missouri S&T. Tip-off is scheduled for 1:00 p.m. in Rolla, Mo.
