MBU Athletics

COLUMBIA, MO. – [BOX SCORE] Columbia College (8-8, 4-6 AMC) gave No. 5 Missouri Baptist men's basketball (18-0, 10-0 AMC) all they could handle on Thursday night but the Spartans survived and came away with a 75-73 road victory.
 
In somewhat of a role reversal from recent history, the Cougars (the reigning AMC regular season champions) entered as the underdog but fed off a raucous home crowd in the early going. They scored the game's first seven points before MBU used its first timeout. The Spartans responded with a 10-0 run and the battle was on.
 
Columbia would retake the lead at 15-12 and maintain the advantage for the duration of the opening half, though the Spartans managed to stay within striking distance. They trailed 38-32 heading into the locker room.
 
Missouri Baptist continued to chip away and finally tied the game with 11:42 left in the second half. Jahmouri Robinson capped off an 8-0 run with two free throws to give the Spartans a 54-52 edge. After Columbia briefly retied it, a three from Kai Woodfall gave MBU a lead they wouldn't relinquish.
 
The Cougars cut it to one on several occasions but the Spartans had an answer each time. With 2:06 remaining and the score 66-65 Mo. Bap, Woodfall delivered a crushing blow for the home side's comeback hopes—a long triple with a hand in his face to make it 69-66.
 
The Cougars weren't quite ready to roll over yet, however. It was 75-69 when CC's Justin Shaw was fouled shooting a three. The junior converted the free throw for a four-point play and suddenly MBU led by just two.
 
After a missed free throw at the other end, Columbia had a chance to win it but Shaw's 3PT attempt from the top of the key caromed off the front of the rim. The Spartans survived and kept their perfect season intact.
 
Missouri Baptist once again used a balanced attack, with five different players scoring in double figures. Pablo Hernandez led the way with 15 points. Woodfall finished with 13, 11 of which came in the second half.
 
Juniors James McKelvin and Jahmouri Robinson each finished with 11 while Callum Barker posted 10 points. Barker also led MBU on the glass with nine rebounds.
 
Columbia won the team rebound battle 37-29 but the Spartans had the edge in blocked shots with seven. MBU also turned the ball over a season-low eight times compared to 16 turnovers by CC.
 
With an overall record of 18-0 and sitting atop the AMC at 10-0, Missouri Baptist will now return home to face Hannibal-LaGrange (8-6, 6-3 AMC) on Saturday afternoon. Tipoff at the Carl and Deloris Petty SRC is scheduled for 3 pm.
 
*Notes*

• Pablo Hernandez moved his career point total to 992. The senior is looking to become the 18^th player in school history to record 1,000 points all as a Spartan
• Torrance Littles recorded three blocks to move within one of the MBU career record. Brandon Scott recorded 82 between the 1995-96 seasons.
• Saturday's game will be subject to inclement weather. Keep an eye on MBUSpartans.com, @mbuathletics on twitter, and follow @MBUAthletics on facebook for the latest updates.