ST. LOUIS— [BOX SCORE] Missouri Baptist men's basketball improved to 9-0 overall and 4-0 in the AMC after an impressive 78-59 win over Harris-Stowe (5-2, 1-2 AMC) on Thursday night. Both teams started the night just outside the Top 25 but still receiving votes in the latest NAIA Top 25 Coaches' Poll.
 
A lightning fast start brought the capacity crowd at the Carl and Deloris Petty SRC to its feet. The Spartans led 13-2 before four minutes had run off the clock in the first half. Harris-Stowe briefly trimmed the deficit to five but that would be as close as the visiting Hornets would come.
 
A 25-2 run by MBU effectively put the game out of reach before the halftime buzzer. The Spartans led 45-23 at the break. The home side shot 56.7% (17-30) in the first 20 minutes while holding the Hornets to 32% (9/28).
 
The Spartans continued to push the pace in the second half, extending the lead to as many as 29 at one point. With a healthy lead late, Head Coach Matt Brock was able to use his entire roster on the way to a comfortable 19-point victory.
 
As he's been for much of the season so far, senior Kai Woodfall was the leading man for Missouri Baptist. Woodfall tied a career-high with 23 points. The Australian knocked down 5-12 from behind the three-point line and all six attempts from the charity stripe. Woodfall also chipped in four assists.
 
Jesus Castillo reached double digits for the second straight game with 11 points. Even more impressively, the sophomore posted new career-highs in rebounds (9) and steals (3).
 
Pablo Hernandez (nine points, seven rebounds) and Jahmouri Robinson (seven points, six assists, and five rebounds) were other strong contributors for MBU. In total 10 of 12 Spartans recorded at least two points.
 
MBU will now complete a three-game week and look to stay unbeaten on Saturday against William Woods. Tipoff in Fulton is scheduled for 3 pm (watch it live: https://portal.stretchinternet.com/WWUOWLS/).