SAINT LOUIS – In a game nationally distributed on ESPN3, Missouri Baptist was the first to overcome its nerves. Unfortunately for the home team, No. 18-ranked Columbia (Mo.) found its groove. The Cougars held the Spartans to 39.6 percent in a 76-46 Spartan loss on Saturday.
 
Missouri Baptist (7-8, 5-6 AMC) found early success in front of a large home crowd, but turnovers plagued the team throughout the first half. The Spartans built a 12-5 lead in the first six minutes of the game, but true to form, the Cougars fired right back. Columbia ended the final four minutes on a 6-0 run to cut the Spartan lead to 12-11.
 
The two offenses went toe-to-toe in the second quarter, but seven Spartan turnovers hurt the team. Both squads shot over 58 percent in the second, but the Cougars were able to put together a charge when they needed it. Columbia put together a 13-2 run and snagged a seven-point, 33-26 lead at the break.
 
Things turned sour for the Spartans at the outset of the second half, but a late rally put the team back to within seven after trailing by as many as 11. Chanel Brown led the effort with four points in the third quarter as Missouri Baptist trailed 47-40 heading into the final quarter of play.
 
It was the final 10 minutes that became the story.
 
The Cougars led with a three-pointer from Jordan Alford to take a 50-40 lead in the opening seconds and never looked back. Missouri Baptist was held to just three points in the first 5:24 as Columbia put together a dominant quarter to seal the victory.
 
The Cougars rattled-off a 24-3 run to notch its seventh consecutive win.
 
Chanel Brown was the lone Spartan in double figures on Saturday with 14 points and two blocks and two steals to her credit.
 
Columbia was led by Mai Nienhueser's 16 point, 10 rebound effort on Saturday. Raegan Wieser and Morgan Brandt both chipped in 14 while Jordan Alford finished with 13. Both Brandt and Alford completed their day with five assists apiece.
 
With the loss, the Spartans will remain home and await the arrival of Park (Mo.) on Thursday. Tip-off is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. and will be carried live on ESPN3.