ST. LOUIS—Missouri Baptist Men's Basketball fell to 6-5 after a 71-64 defeat at the hands of No. 19 Lindsey Wilson (Ky.) (11-3) on Saturday at the Petty SRC. MBU trailed by 14 at halftime before winning the second the period to nearly pull off the upset.
 
The Blue Raiders dominated a large part of the first half before the Spartans could settle in. A three-pointer from senior forward Malik Hart gave the visitors their largest lead of 20 (31-11) with 3:31 left before the break. MBU would pull it back to 14 (34-20) on a bucket from Aumonie Armond with under a minute left.
 
The Spartans were better at both ends of the floor in the second half and as a result found themselves back in the game in the final five minutes. Two free throws from Brendon Hardy made it a six-point contest (56-50) with 3:10 on the clock.
 
Ultimately though, the Spartans had to start the foul game and the Blue Raiders were near perfect from the charity stripe, allowing them to keep the Mo. Bap comeback attempt at bay.
 
LWC shot just 26% (6-23) from the field in the second half. The Spartans, meanwhile, made it a game by making 5-11 from three as well 15-16 free throws. They made just 1-10 from beyond the arc in the first half.
 
Three Spartans finished the day in double figures in points led by Brendon Hardy with 17 and John Yaeger with 13. Aumonie Armond had eight points and a career-high 13 rebounds.
 
Despite the loss, there was one important positive to the day. Senior Jahmouri Robinson needed just one assist to tie Will Harrington's career record of 367. After tying Harrington's mark in the first half, Robinson claimed the record on his own on the first possession of the second half. He finished the day with three assists to go along with 14 points.
 
The Spartans' next action will be another exhibition on Wednesday afternoon at Central Missouri (NCAA DII). Tipoff in Warrensburg is scheduled for noon. MBU will return to regular season AMC play next Saturday at home against (RV) Harris-Stowe.