ST. LOUIS—[BOX SCORE] Missouri Baptist Men's Basketball locked up its 20^th win of the season with an 89-61 thrashing of Lindenwood-Belleville on Saturday.

The start did not go as planned as the visiting Lynx had a 13-2 lead with nearly nine minutes played in the first half. The Spartans went ahead 2-0 but then went until the clock showed 10:20 before registering another point. Eventually, a three from Hasaan Decarolis got things rolling. Jesus Castillo would follow with another three and the Spartans were off to the races. The lead went back and forth but MBU would eventually take a 32-28 advantage into halftime.

The second half would be a different story. The Spartans took control from the start and never gave Lindenwood-Belleville a chance. After being shutout in the first frame, Fitzgerald Hopkins broke out for 17 points in the second half. Hopkins and forward Torrance Littles would go on to tie for the team lead. Littles had 13 of his 17 after the intermission.

Missouri Baptist shot a scorching 63% (20-32) from the field in the second half. A late bucket from James McKelvin took the MBU lead to a game-high 28 points. That would be where it finished as the Spartans exacted revenge from a defeat earlier in the season.

Four Spartans reached double figures. In addition to the previously mentioned Hopkins and Littles, Pablo Hernandez went for 11 points while Johnny Benson posted 15. Benson led the way in the first half with 12 points. Andrew Howard was in charge on the glass, pulling down 10 rebounds. It was a career-high in boards for the senior.

The 22nd ranked Spartans are now 20-6 overall and 12-6 in the AMC. They'll travel to Tennessee and Arkansas next Thursday and Saturday. Tip against Freed-Hardeman on Thursday is scheduled for 7:30 pm.