ST. LOUIS – [BOX SCORE] Missouri Baptist Women's Basketball delivered its fans a Mardi Gras gift of a dominant victory on Saturday. The Spartans put together a solid 40 minute effort in a 74-53 victory at home over Central Baptist (Ark.).
Missouri Baptist (8-12, 7-10 AMC) needed a win and a Park University (Mo.) loss to get back into the American Midwest Conference playoff picture and got just that.
The Spartans put together perhaps its best first quarter of play as Morgan Settle was fantastic from the tip. Settle finished the first half with 16 points and ended Saturday's contest with her second double-double of the year, the second in three games, in fact. The Moorsville, Ind., product finished with 25 points and 11 rebounds.
MBU led 19-14 after one quarter and extended its lead through the second. The home put together a quick 6-2 run to begin the quarter and never looked back.
Though the team shot 46 percent from the floor, it came up short in the three-point category. As a team, the Spartans went 0-13 from three-point land.
The Missouri Baptist defense was, however, quite strong on the day. The Spartans forced 23 Mustang turnovers on the day and posted 15 steals, six of which were swiped by Jerica Hawkins.
The second half was a similar story for the Spartans. With a 37-30 lead heading into the third quarter, Missouri Baptist played even to the Mustangs, setting up the most productive quarter of the season.
MBU began the fourth quarter with an impressive 11-0 run. Jasmine Jackson led the effort with six of her 12 points during that period. It was the second game of the season that Jackson reached double digits.
MBU outscored the Mustangs 24-10 in that final quarter on the way to its first victory in four games.
Freed-Hardeman (Tenn.) also picked-up at home over Park University, which, combined with the Spartan win, put Missouri Baptist back into AMC playoff contention. MBU is currently tied with Park for eighth in the conference.
Missouri Baptist will head back on the road for two tough, meaningful games next week. The first stop on that road trip will be an all-important visit to Parkville, Mo., to take-on the Park Pirates. Game time on Thursday is scheduled for 5:30 p.m.
