ST. LOUIS, Mo. – The Missouri Baptist Spartans earned their first win of the young campaign defeating the Park University Pirates with an 80-53 final score. Alexis Allstun helped carry the Spartans with 24 points and nine rebounds while Tionne Taylor did her share with 16 points.
 
It was a much-needed victory for the Spartans as they outdid their opponents in field goal percentage (41.77), assists (20), steals (11), blocks (7), and rebounds (54). They currently sit at 1-6 overall and are alive in the American Midwest Conference at 1-3.
 
Both teams came out of the gate ready to play as they exchanged punches through the first quarter. MBU took the first eight points of the game on buckets by Alexis Allstun, Jordan Wyatt, and Tionne Taylor.
 
A few minutes later the Pirates found themselves in an 11-4 hole and went on a 7-0 run to knot things back up. The Spartans got more breathing room with a short run, followed by a Park run that drew the game to within one point at the end of the first.
 
The second quarter started much slower with neither team scoring until two and a half minutes in on Sarah Lamp's shot from the paint. After four more lead changes, the Spartans found themselves ahead by six points at halftime.
 
MBU found some separation in the third. Park kept it close for a couple of minutes, but they could no longer contain the home offense. The Spartans went on to score 19 points in the third and 25 in the fourth to close out their AMC rival with an 80-53 final.
 
"We've been through a gauntlet of a schedule," said Head Coach Sam Pearson. "We've been through a gauntlet of ups and downs early on, but I think that we're learning so much in our first seven games. So, to be able to close that game, to get us a good conference game against a very worthy conference opponent – it feels good." 
 
Freshman Alexis Allstun was all over the court on Thursday recording a game-high 24 points, four blocks, three steals, and nine rebounds. Tionne Taylor did her part to carry the load as well with 16 points and two steals.
 
The Spartans will look to build onto their recent momentum against another AMC foe in Stephens College this Saturday. Game time is set for 1 p.m. in the Carl and Deloris Petty SRC.
 
*Because the women scored 70 points today, Box Combos at Raising Cane's are buy one get one free tomorrow at Manchester location in Des Peres.