ST. LOUIS—[BOX SCORE] Though everyone knew the game was far from over, the final two and a half minutes were agonizing for Spartan fans on Thursday. In hostile territory, Missouri Baptist took control of play at the Arena in the Southwell Complex and stole the biggest win of the season from the NAIA No. 6-ranked Columbia Cougars. The No. 8-seed Spartans took a two-point lead into halftime and held on to defeat Columbia (Mo.) 78-73. 

Missouri Baptist (17-14, 10-12 AMC) fell behind 12-5 early in the first half but kept its composure. David Gabrovsek knocked-down a big three and completed the four-point play after a foul on the shot to start the upward momentum. The Spartans rattled-off a 13-2 run to seize the advantage from that point.

Though the team led by as many as nine, the Cougars roared back in the final three minutes of the half. Columbia, led by Nic Reynolds, the junior from Peoria, Ill., was clutch for the home team all night and led his squad to draw to within two just before the break.

Columbia threw the kitchen sink at Missouri Baptist in the second half but the Spartans refused to see its season end. The Cougars took a brief 43-40 lead before Luke Call dialed up one of his four second-half threes, to give the Spartans the lead for good. All of his points came in the game's final 20 minutes.

After another triple from Call, Andrew Howard went on a personal 8-0 run to extend the visitor's advantage to a game-high 14 points.

Columbia juniors Nic Reynolds and Jackson Dubinski nearly saved the game in the final 2:30 for the Cougars. The duo was unconscious from behind the arc as they single handedly cut the lead to three.

Missouri Baptist held a slim, 73-70 lead when Will Harrington hit the shot of the year for the Spartans. A three-ball from the senior extended the lead to six and put the dagger in the top seed Cougars. Reynolds hit another three to keep home squad on life support but Harrington calmly knocked down two free throws to complete the upset.

Five Spartans finished the game in double figures, led by 14 from Call and Harrington. Andrew Howard posted 12 points and six rebounds while David Gabrovsek and Pablo Hernandez contributed 11 points apiece. Johnny Benson controlled the glass for Missouri Baptist with a team-high eight boards.

The Spartans now move on to the AMC semifinals to face the No. 5-seed William Woods (Mo.) in Fulton, Mo., on Saturday afternoon. Tip is set for 3:00 p.m.