ST. LOUIS— Brendon Hardy's three-pointer with 18 seconds was the difference on Saturday afternoon as Missouri Baptist Men's Basketball defeated (RV) Harris-Stowe (7-4, 4-2 AMC) 96-91 at the Petty SRC. MBU improved to 7-5 overall and 3-3 in the AMC heading into the Christmas break.
 
It was a slugfest between two of the AMC's heavyweights from the opening tip on Saturday. Both teams had sizeable leads at various points of the first half. Harris-Stowe took its largest lead of the first 20 minutes at 31-18 with 9:02 remaining. DeShawn Munson, the AMC's leading scorer averaging 30.0 ppg coming into Saturday, proved to be a handful for the navy and white. The junior had 21 of his game-high 37 points in the first half alone.
 
The Spartans were able to counterpunch with a 21-4 run to take a 39-35 lead with 4:06 left. Hasaan DeCarolis nearly matched Munson with a huge first half of his own. The senior had 19 points on 6-7 from the field (5-5 from 3PT). DeCarolis' three-pointer with 2:38 on the clock gave MBU its largest advantage at 46-37. The teams would finally go into the locker room with the scoreboard reading 51-48 MBU.
 
After a wild first 20 minutes, the main course had yet to be served. The teams combined for 88 more points in the second half. Harris-Stowe regained the lead at 58-56 and held it for close to 14 minutes, pushing it up to as many nine again on two separate occasions.
 
The Spartans still wouldn't go away. A contested three from Jahmouri Robinson with 3:44 left tied the game at 84. After a timeout, the home side would follow through with the next five points to cap off a 17-4 run. The Hornets then made their final push and tied the game at 91. Munson missed the back half of a one-and-one but got his own rebound and converted the putback.
 
On the ensuing possession, the Hornets pressed the Spartans in the back court. The Spartans were able to break it, however, and John Yaeger found Brendon Hardy with an open look in the corner. The sophomore buried the three with 18 seconds left and sent a packed Petty SRC into pandemonium.
 
Harris-Stowe couldn't convert on a three attempt at the other end and Jahmouri Robinson then sank two free throws to seal the game for Missouri Baptist.
 
"I couldn't be more proud of my guys," noted MBU Head Coach Preston Ingram in the postgame. "They find ways no matter what. We weathered two major storms. We battled and found a way and that's all you can ask for."
 
On the stat sheet, four Spartans finished in double figures led by 24 points (8-17 FG) from Jahmouri Robinson. The senior also had a career-high eight rebounds to go along with six assists.
 
Hasaan DeCarolis (22) and John Yaeger (20) both finished with career-high point totals. Brendon Hardy didn't have his best day from the field but came through with the most important make of the season. The sophomore finished with 15 points and six rebounds.
 
Missouri will now have a brief break for the holiday before they close out 2019 with an exhibition on December 29. The Spartans will travel to Cape Girardeau to meet Southeast Missouri State. Tip time is scheduled for 4 pm and the game can be seen on ESPN+.

*Note: because the Spartans scored 70 at home, box combos are buy one, get one at the Raising Cane's on Manchester Rd. in Des Peres all day Sunday*