ST. LOUIS – In front of its largest crowd this season at the Petty Sports & Recreation Complex, the Missouri Baptist University women's basketball team battled the NAIA's No. 1-ranked team for three quarters, but couldn't stage a Senior Night upset. Columbia College pulled away from Missouri Baptist in the third quarter and went home with a 67-48 victory.
 
While the Spartan defense was able to hold Columbia College under several of its season averages, it marked the third game in a row that MBU has failed to reach 50 points offensively.
 
The Spartans fell behind early due to a quick start by Columbia's Morgan Brandt. The Cougars' senior guard, who finished with a double-double, was well on her way within the first 10 minutes of the game. Brandt had nine first-quarter points and pulled down five rebounds to pace the Cougars. At the end of one, CC had a firm 19-12 lead over the Spartans.
 
Both defenses turned up the heat during the second quarter and the stats proved it. Despite shooting just 2-for-15 (.133) from the field, the Cougars still were able to outscore Missouri Baptist 10-8 in the low-scoring period. MBU went 4-of-14, but couldn't cut into the lead. The Spartans trailed 29-20 at the break.
 
Missouri Baptist scored the first seven points of the second half and just like that was back in the game. Caroline Rogers pitched in a field goal and a pair of free throws to go along with a Jordan Wyatt 3-pointer during that 7-0 stretch. The Spartans were within two at both 29-27 and 31-29, but followed that with a drought at the worst possible time. MBU would score just one more field goal over the next 6 minutes and 45 seconds.
 
Meanwhile, Columbia took full advantage of the Spartans' scoring lull and went on a 3-point tear. The top-ranked Cougars hit three consecutive treys and were a perfect 5-for-5 from beyond-the-arc for the quarter. CC outscored MBU, 25-11, and did enough damage in the period to lock up the victory and move to 27-3 overall and 21-3 in the AMC.
 
On Thursday, junior Jordan Wyatt accounted for nearly one-third of the Spartans' scoring with a team-best 14 points. The 5-6 guard from Castle Rock, Colo., achieved several season bests including minutes played (32), rebounds, field goals made (4), and 3-point field goals made (2) and doubled her previous season-high in scoring.
 
Making their final starts at home, seniors Le'Ondra Wilson, Kadesha Cooper and Alissa Rowden were all honored following the game. Wilson finished her Senior Night with 8 points, 3 rebounds, 3 assists and 2 steals with no turnovers. Cooper had an off night shooting going 2-for-12 from the floor and scoring five, while pulling down six boards. Alissa Rowden was limited to 1 point, 3 assists and 2 rebounds.
 
Another notable performance came from freshman Sara Hermosa, who amassed 7 points (3-of-5 shooting) in just eight minutes of action.
 
The Spartans will conclude their 2018-19 season on the road at Hannibal-LaGrange University on Saturday at 1 p.m.