ST. LOUIS – [BOX SCORE] A rough start to action on Saturday was what ultimately cost Missouri Baptist Women's Basketball a big win over a ranked. Missouri Baptist outscored Lindenwood University – Belleville (Ill.) 39-31 in the final 20 minutes, but could not completely overcome a 15-point first-half deficit in a 74-67 loss in Belleville, Ill.
Missouri Baptist (7-12, 6-10 AMC) struggled on the offensive end from the outset of Saturday's contest against the Lady Lynx, but proved to its fans, and potentially more importantly, themselves, that it could run with one of the top team in the nation. After falling into a 15-point hole, the Spartans returned to play in the second half and outscored Lindenwood-Belleville by eight in the final 10 minutes as they fought to pull-off the comeback
Lindenwood dominated play in the opening minutes of the game and jumped out to a 14-2 lead. The Spartans went 1-7 from the field in that stretch, but as the game continued, it was clear that when the offense produced, Missouri Baptist was the better team on the court that day.
It was the perfect storm for the Lady Lynx as the home team shot 48.3 percent from the floor in the first half while the Spartans shot just 28.6 percent, helping Lindenwood-Belleville to the large advantage. In the second half, however, Missouri Baptist controlled the pace and the game.
After the half, the Spartans fixed the offensive miscues and took the game to the Lady Lynx. Missouri Baptist shot 37 percent from the floor and an impressive 5-13 from outside the arc to put itself right back in the game.
Shay Robinson led the way for the Spartans with 18 points in what may be an All-Conference First Team season for the junior forward. Senior Danna Jenkins added 15 points, her second consecutive double-digit performance, but what might be the most interesting piece was the performance of Megan Fassino.
The freshman from McAlester, Okla., dropped 10 points and 10 rebounds on the Lady Lynx, and collected her first double-double at the collegiate level.
The Spartans will complete its three-game road swing next week when it begins an extended weekend trip on Thursday at No. 9-ranked Lyon (Ark.). Tip-off is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. in Batesville, Ark.
