CONWAY, Ark. – Missouri Baptist Men's Basketball couldn't overcome a slow start on Thursday in a 77-65 loss to Central Baptist College (4-2, 1-0 AMC). In the first contest on the AMC schedule for the 2019-20 season, the Spartans saw their four-game winning streak come to an end.
 
CBC scored 17 of the game's first 19 points before the MBU defense finally locked in. After the fast start, the Mustangs managed just six points in the final 10 minutes of the opening half. The Spartans trailed 23-16 at the break.
 
Out of the intermission, CBC built the lead up to 14 and never looked back. The Spartans clawed back to cut it to five (48-43) before a 13-0 run by the home side put it out of reach.
 
CBC controlled the rebound category all night, finishing with a 43-30 advantage over MBU. Seniors Tyrone Alston and Simon Okolue proved a handfall for the Spartans with 22 and 15 points, respectively. The duo also combined for 17 rebounds. Okolue double-doubled with 10 boards.
 
For the Spartans, Brendon Hardy led the way with 14 points while James McKelvin was close behind, finishing with 13.
 
Missouri Baptist (4-2, 0-1 AMC) continues its Arkansas road trip on Saturday at Lyon College (5-1, 1-0 AMC). Tipoff in Batesville is scheduled for 2 pm.