PARAGOULD, Ark. – Missouri Baptist Men's Basketball evened its record at 1-1 with a 75-63 win over Crowley's Ridge on Tuesday. The road victory is the Spartans' first under new Head Coach Preston Ingram.
 
After knocking off the Pioneers by 64 early last season, the Spartans found their opponent much more up to the task this time around. The lead careened back and forth between the teams for much of the first half until Missouri Baptist finally shook free for a five-point advantage (30-25) with 3:26 to go.
 
Crowley's Ridge briefly took a one-point lead early in the second half but that's about when James McKelvin took over. The senior posted 19 second half points to help the Spartans not only retake the lead but push it to double digits. A 13-2 run all but put it out of reach with just under 10 minutes left on the clock.
 
McKelvin finished with a career-high 26 points on 9-13 from the field. The former Hazelwood East standout was 7-8 in the final 20 minutes. He added a block and a steal as well. Brendon Hardy (14) and Jahmouri Robinson (11) also reached double figures for the second consecutive game.
 
Missouri Baptist will now have a week off before visiting Webster University (NCAA DIII) next Tuesday. Tipoff is scheduled for 7 pm inside Grant Gymnasium.