COLUMBIA, Mo. – [BOX SCORE] Missouri Baptist men's basketball faced its toughest test to date on Friday night in a showdown with Clarke University (Iowa). The Spartans were pushed to the limit but came away with a 69-66 victory in the opening game of the Hampton Inn Thanksgiving Classic in Columbia, Mo.
 
Missouri Baptist got off to quick start thanks in large part to guard Jahmouri Robinson. The junior accounted for eight of the Spartans' first 10 points in route to an early 12-4 lead. Clarke would battle back but MBU held on for the duration of the first half and carried a 34-30 advantage into the locker room.
 
The lack of separation would continue throughout the second half. MoBap briefly led by five before a 6-0 run by the Pride gave them a 40-39 edge. The teams traded the lead back and forth several times over the course of the last 13 minutes.
 
The momentum finally swung in favor of MBU with just under five minutes to go. Torrance Littles found Jesus Castillo in the corner and the sophomore drained a catch and shoot three to give the Spartans a 60-58 lead. The bucket sparked an 8-0 run for the navy and white.
 
The Spartans led by six with just over a minute to go but that was trimmed to three with 11 seconds left, giving Clarke a chance for the tie on the final possession.
 
With two seconds left, the Pride's Ernest Bolden Jr. found himself with a wide open look at a three-pointer from the corner. Seemingly out of nowhere, MBU's James McKelvin flew in to not only challenge the shot but get a hand on it for a game-saving block. John Yaeger tracked down the loose ball and Missouri Baptist escaped with the 69-66 victory.
 
Jahmouri Robinson finished the night with a season-high 18 points (6-8 FG) to lead MBU. Elsewhere on the stat sheet, fours were wild for Robinson as the Cardinal Ritter Prep alum recorded four assists, four steals, and went 4-4 from the free throw line.
 
Pablo Hernandez was the only other Spartan in double digits, finishing with 15 points (6-14 FG). Hernandez pulled down eight rebounds, second only to Torrance Littles who posted a career-high 10 boards in 24 minutes.
It was a complete team effort for MBU as nine different players saw time and all nine recorded at least two points. Eight of the nine also recorded at least two rebounds as the Spartans finished with a 39-34 edge on the glass.
 
Missouri Baptist (6-0) will be back in action on Saturday for day two of the Hampton Inn Thanksgiving Classic. They'll face another stiff test in the form of No. 25 Lindsey Wilson (Ky.). Tipoff at the Southwell Complex in Columbia is scheduled for 1 pm.