ST. LOUIS – [BOX SCORE] Lyon College (Ark.) has proven all season why they should be considered one of the top teams in the nation. The No. 6-ranked Scots put together another consistent 40 minutes of basketball on Thursday night and won their 17th straight game of the year in a 64-47 win over Missouri Baptist.
The Spartans (7-12, 6-10 AMC) were in a hole early with two key starters out of the lineup. With Danna Jenkins out of state mourning the loss of a family member and Jerica Hawkins out with an untimely illness, MBU needed to get in gear early, but was held to nine points in the opening 10 minutes and took a 14-9 deficit into the second quarter.
With the loss of Jenkins, Trina Valencia got the start had a tough test ahead of her against the No. 6-ranked team in the nation. The junior from Makawao, Hawaii got her first start of her collegiate career after two seasons at MBU and one at former American Midwest Conference member, Mid-Continent University.
The Scots carried a 33-20 lead into halftime and did not look back thanks to solid team defense and the play of Taylor Gaedke. The senior posted 13 points and went 6-13 from the floor.
The Spartans began to put things together in the fourth quarter. The team posted 15 points in the final 10 minutes, but it was too late to turn the tide.
Taylor Klingelhoefer finished with 12 points and was 6-7 from the free throw line. Angela Talley and Kennedy Smith also combined for 18 points.
As a team, Missouri Baptist shot 36 percent from the floor and committed 26 turnovers to the ball-sound Scots.
The Spartans will be back at in at home on Saturday, as the team will welcome Central Baptist (Ark.) to the Carl and Deloris Petty Sports and Recreation Complex. Game time is scheduled for 2:00 p.m.
