ST. LOUIS – [BOX SCORE] Missouri Baptist withstood a Briar Cliff rally to outlast the Chargers Friday night 3-2 (25-17, 25-21, 23-25, 26-28, 16-14).

Briar Cliff (2-7, 2-6) gave the Spartans all they could handle. MBU (11-2, 5-1) won the first two sets somewhat comfortably before escaping by the narrowest of margins.

The Chargers forced a fifth set after winning the final three points in a 28-26 set four victory. A kill from Daniel Prada put the Spartans ahead 9-5 in the fifth. Prada finished the night with a team-high 16 kills. BCU quickly closed the gap to 9-8 however and wouldn't go away. Though they would never lead, the home Chargers made sure the match went down to the wire. Tied at 14-14, a kill from Mico Janicijevic put the Spartans ahead. MBU got the final point it needed after an attack error from Briar Cliff.

MBU hit a team best .400 in the first set and a respectable .300 in set two. They started the night off strong, leading 10-4 through the opening 14 points. The home team fought back to get within 21-17, but the Spartans stopped the comeback by earning the final four points to win by eight. Cam Hibbler ended the set with an ace.

Briar Cliff led the next set 19-18 before MBU came back to win 25-21. Kyle Foley, who finished the night with 56 assists, spread the ball around to several different weapons to make the comeback happen. Four different Spartans posted kills for the team's final four points. Hibbler again came through with the game-winner.

The Chargers forced a fourth set by taking the final two points to win 25-23. MBU fought back after trailing 18-14 in set four before eventually falling 28-26. Luka Cajic posted 15 kills and Ivan Trifunovic had 11. Janicijevic had six, all in the fifth set, to help the Spartans hold on for victory. Outside of Foley's 56 assists, he also had nine digs and three block assists. Robert Hall led the way defensively with 14 digs.

The Spartans return home on Monday to take on No. 5 Robert Morris (Ill.). The match begins at 4:00 pm.