ST. LOUIS—[
BOX SCORE] No. 5 Missouri Baptist men's basketball defeated Freed-Hardeman University (Tenn.) 90-51 on Saturday afternoon to improve to 17-0 (9-0 AMC). The 17-game winning streak eclipsed the previous mark set by the 1993-94 team.
The Spartans' blitzed the Lions from the opening tip, scoring 11 of the games' first 13 points. It was 25-7 MBU after nine minutes when Freed finally called their first timeout. The TO would not halt the momentum, however, as it would still be another four minutes before the visitors recorded another field goal.
Fueled by that 23-3 run, Missouri Baptist would take a 46-23 lead into halftime. The Spartans shot a blistering 64.3% (9-14) from three-point range in the opening 20 minutes.
Out of the break, three more triples from senior
Kai Woodfall spurred another run in MBU's favor. A thunderous slam from
Callum Barker then gave the Spartans' their largest lead at 32 points (59-27). Head Coach
Matt Brock emptied his bench for the final 10 minutes of the game but the scoring persisted, with the lead ballooning to as many as 40.
They would eventually settle on an even 90 for a 39-point victory. Four Spartans reached double figures led by 15 from junior
James McKelvin.
Kai Woodfall posted 14 on a perfect 5-5 from the field (4-4 from 3PT).
Callum Barker and
Jahmouri Robinson had 10 points each while Barker also pulled down eight rebounds. McKelvin and
Torrance Littles tied for next best with seven boards.
Pablo Hernandez posted a new career-high with six assists.
At 17-0 overall and 9-0 in the AMC, MBU is firmly in the driver's seat in the race for the regular season conference title. Elsewhere around the league on Saturday, William Woods knocked off (18) Central Baptist College. As a result, the Spartans now have a two-game lead on second place.
Missouri Baptist is back in action on the road on Thursday against their oldest rival, Columbia College. Tipoff at the Southwell Complex is scheduled for 7:30 pm. The Spartans return home next Saturday against Hannibal-LaGrange.
*Note: the Spartans scored 70 at home so box combos are buy one, get one at Raising Cane's on Manchester Rd. (Des Peres location) all day Sunday*
