SAINT LOUIS - Just one point separated Missouri Baptist and Stephens (Mo.) after one half of play on Thursday, but it was the visiting Spartans that grabbed the reigns after the break. The team from St. Louis outscored the Stars 44-29 in the final two quarters to secure a 75-59 win in Columbia, Mo.
 
Missouri Baptist (6-5, 4-3 AMC) put together a solid defensive effort throughout on a night that the offense struggled. Over the course of the game, the Spartans recorded 19 points off 13 Stephens turnovers, which spurred the road victory.
 
The Stars outscored the Spartans in the first quarter as the home team shot over 53 percent in the opening period. Stephens went 8-15 from the floor to take an 18-13 lead.
 
Missouri Baptist put together a comeback in the second quarter, helped in large part by Stephens' shooting fouls. The Spartans went just 6-17 from the floor, but added five free throws in the quarter to take a one-point, 31-30 lead into the break.
 
Whatever Coach Iris Dixon said during halftime seemed to ignite the offense. The Spartans improved their shooting percentage from 30 percent to 43 percent in the final half of play and cruised to an all-too-important victory.
 
Briya Wilborn continued to lead the Spartans on Thursday with a 21-point, four steal performance. The senior guard ranks in the top five in the NAIA in steals per game with 3.72 at the conclusion of the evening.
 
Chanel Brown put together a solid performance as well. The senior completed her evening just a rebound short of a double-double with 15 points and nine rebounds.
 
Amanda Rowden rounded-out the Spartans in double digits with 10 points on the night while Megan Fassino nabbed 10 boards, a career-high for the sophomore.
 
With the win, the Spartans will head into a tough matchup against No. 23-ranked Lindenwood-Belleville (Ill.) on Saturday looking for their first major upset of the season. Tip-off is scheduled for 1:00 p.m. at Lynx Arena.