ST. LOUIS – [BOX SCORE] Missouri Baptist struggled to find its way in the final home game of the 2016-17 campaign. The Spartan defense was unable to contain the potent Columbia (Mo.) attack as the home team was downed by the No. 13-ranked Cougars 110-58 on Saturday in St. Louis.
Missouri Baptist (9-15, 8-12 AMC) kept it close in the opening five minutes of Saturday's contest, but the Cougars pressed the issue and ran away with it early.
Columbia rattled-off an 11-2 run to seize control of the game and never looked back as the No. 13-ranked Cougars ended the half with a 55-29 advantage after shooting 63 percent before the break.
The Cougars put together a sound defensive effort on the day and owned the glass, similarly to what the Spartans did to Park (Mo.). Columbia pulled down 18 rebounds in the opening half and out-rebounded Missouri Baptist by seven in the game.
Missouri Baptist shot 32 percent over the course of the game as the Cougar defense led in the effort to solidify their position at No. 3 in the American Midwest Conference standings.
Missouri Baptist was led by Danna Jenkins in her 101st game as a Spartan. The Aurora, Colo., native picked-up 15 points in the final home game of her collegiate career. Chanel Brown followed with 13 and Riley Reddin added 11 points and four assists.
It was senior day at Missouri Baptist on Saturday as the team honored its four seniors prior to the game. Sam Smith, Cherish Walton, Riley Reddin and Danna Jenkins all received a commemorative basketball prior to the contest.
Saturday was the final home game for the Spartans in 2017 as the team will head out on the road for the final four regular season contests.
The next game for the Spartans will be a Valentine's Day special in Hannibal, Mo., as the Spartans will search for a big win in AMC play against the Lady Trojans. Tip-off is scheduled at 5:30 p.m.
