ST. LOUIS – [BOX SCORE] Missouri Baptist stayed right with Williams Baptist (Ark.) for much of Thursday night's game, but were unable to overcome a fourth quarter barrage in a 64-56 loss in St. Louis.
Missouri Baptist (10-16, 9-14 AMC) trailed early in the first quarter, but put itself in solid position as the time clicked down. Michaela Thompson posted four of the first six points for Williams Baptist as the team from Walnut Ridge, Ark., built an early 6-2 lead. The Eagles continued the trend midway through the quarter until the Spartans began to cut into the visitors' advantage.
Jerica Hawkins posted all four of her first quarter points in the closing minutes of the opening 10 minutes and lessened the deficit to 13-11 heading into the second quarter.
The second 10 minutes of Thursday's clash was a back and forth battle between the teams as Hawkins continued to lead the way for the Spartans. The senior closed the half with eight points, but it was Taylor Williams who hit the clutch bucket to maintain the Eagles' lead heading into halftime. The junior guard from Mountain Home, Ark., posted her second three-ball of the game in the final Williams Baptist possession to extend her team's lead to 26-22.
After halftime, Missouri Baptist began inching back toward the lead, but the Eagles held their ground. Kennedy Smith knocked-down a shot just over two minutes into play to tie the game at 26, but the Spartans were not able to sieze control heading into the final quarter.
Down 57-49 with just over three to play, Angela Talley gave the Spartan bench life. The senior nailed a three-ball from the corner to cut the deficit to five. Morgan Settle made it a three-point game just seconds later, but Williams Baptist got big stops in the final two minutes to preserve the win.
Smith finished the game with seven points, but it was Talley that led the team with 15 on the night.
The Eagles put pressure on Spartan weapon Jerica Hawkins and kept the guard in check in the final two quarters of play. The Decatur, Ill., native posted just two of her 10 points in the second half.
Danna Jenkins finished with 10 points and rounded-out the Spartans in double digits.
Williams Baptist's Thompson led the Eagles with 17 points on the night. Williams, the three-point threat, posted all 12 of her points on three-pointers, one in each quarter.
Missouri Baptist will play in the final game of the 2016 season on Saturday at home against No. 11-ranked Freed-Hardeman (Tenn.). Game time is scheduled for 2:00 p.m. as the team will celebrate Senior Day.
