ST. LOUIS – [BOX SCORE] A 19-2 first-half run from Park helped the No. 12 Pirates put away Missouri Baptist Thursday afternoon in conference action. The Spartans fell 83-70 on the road after a 12-day break in action.

MBU (7-6, 1-4) kept things close in the first 10 minutes and were within one possession, trailing 18-15 with 11:32 left in the half. However, the aforementioned, 19-2 run from Park (7-2, 4-1) pushed their lead to 20. The run was capped by a 3-pointer from BJ Watson, who had a game-high 13 points in the first half.

Park led by 16 at the half, one in which they shot 51.5 percent. The Spartans, led by Luke Call's seven points, shot the ball at a 32 percent clip. After the break, an old-fashioned 3-point play from Jared White brought the Spartan deficit to 10 with 15:27 left in the game. However, the Pirates answered with an 8-0 run and MBU never would get any closer.

Despite that, MBU outscored the home team 43-40 after halftime and shot the ball much better (46.2 percent). They were led by 12 second-half points from Will Harrington and eight from White. Harrington finished with 17 total points, Call with 13 and White 12. MBU also took much better care of the basketball in the second half, committing nine fewer turnovers.

Park was led by a balanced attack in the 13-point win. Watson finished with 17, Xavielle Brown had 16, while Noel Surles and Zach Rutland each had 12. The Spartans will get a day off before resuming conference play to take on Columbia on Saturday. Tip is set for 3:00 pm.