SAINT LOUIS – A 9-0 deficit to start the game set the tone on against the No. 2-ranked Freed-Hardeman (Tenn.) Lady Lions. Missouri Baptist was held to under 30 percent from the field in a 79-45 loss on Thursday.
 
Missouri Baptist (6-7, 4-5 AMC) was held in check from start to finish against the National Championship contender as an ordinarily opportunistic defense was unable to apply pressure to its opponent. The Spartans recorded just seven steals in the game, their second lowest total of the year.
 
As the Spartans struggled, the Lady Lions thrived as they finished the game shooting 48 percent from the floor.
 
The game was within striking distance for Missouri Baptist after one quarter, but Freed-Hardeman opened the floodgates in the second quarter. The Lady Lions outscored the Spartans 16-5 in the second frame and built a 35-22 halftime lead.
 
Freed-Hardeman continued to showcase its talents in the second half as the team from Henderson, Tenn., grabbed a majority of its points in the paint. The Lady Lions collected 22 of their 34 points in the final 20 minutes below the bucket as they cruised to the win.
 
The Lady Lions were paced by Kim Mallory and Sandrea Sylman. Both the guard and the forward collected 18 points in the contest. Gabrielle Nicholson and Haylee Croom both chipped-in 10 in the game.
 
Though Briya Wilborn recorded just eight points, the Spartan guard picked-up four steals in the game, just a bit higher than her season average of 3.58 per game. Wilborn currently ranks second in the nation in steals per game.
 
Missouri Baptist will now have a day to get ready for an important conference clash at home on Saturday as they welcome the Williams Baptist Eagles. Game time is scheduled for 1:00 p.m. at the Carl and Deloris Petty Sports and Recreation Complex.