ST. LOUIS – [BOX SCORE] Perhaps with a near upset at the front of its mind, Missouri Baptist dug-in at the right time on Tuesday looking down the barrel at what could have been a crushing loss to St. Louis College of Pharmacy (Mo.). In the end, however, the Spartans finished strong and snuck away with a 53-47 victory in Kirkwood, Mo.
Missouri Baptist (7-9, 6-6 AMC) evened-up its conference record as the team continues to jockey for position in the American Midwest Conference. It was a tough night for the Spartans offensively, but in the end, the shots fell when they needed to as Missouri Baptist improved to 6-6 in AMC play and stand firm in seventh place in conference standings.
The Spartans began Tuesday's game in what can only be described as a daze. Leading 6-5 after 10 minutes, it was clear that the team was listless against a Eutectic team it had beaten 76-37 just 12 days prior.
The Eutectics took it to Missouri Baptist in the second quarter. In their best 10 minutes of basketball of the season, St. Louis College of Pharmacy outscored the Spartans 20-10 and took a nine-point lead into the half.
Missouri Baptist shot just 18 percent from the floor in the first half, but showed its resolve in the second. As a team, the Spartans shot 41 percent from the floor led by Amanda Scott. The junior recorded 16 points in the final 20 minutes to lead the visitors to secure the come-from-behind win.
The Spartans trailed 42-41 with 3:57 remaining with Chantelle Smith at the charity stripe. Smith knocked down the back half of the free throw trip and tied the game. Though Missouri Baptist had worked its way back, the Eutectics continued to bring their game to MBU.
Emily Rose drained a big three-ball just moments later to give the Eutectics a one-point advantage, but it was Scott and Shay Robinson who sealed the deal. The Spartans also hit their final four free throws as Danna Jenkins and Riley Reddin showed poise at the line in the most critical juncture.
Scott led the Spartans with 20 points while Robinson, the newly minted American Midwest Conference Women's Basketball Player of the Week, followed with 13.
With the win, the Spartans sit just two games out of sixth place, where William Woods (Mo.) currently stands. A game against the Owls on the horizon on January 26 in St. Louis may represent the best chance for Missouri Baptist to make a significant move in the standings.
Next up for the Spartans will be an opportunity to go over .500 in AMC play in a road battle with Stephens College (Mo.) on Thursday. Tip-off is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. in Columbia, Mo.
