ST. LOUIS— After winning 15 straight at the Petty SRC, (8) Missouri Baptist Men's Basketball finally lost at home for the first time this season when they dropped a 64-60 slugfest to Central Baptist College (Ark.) in the AMC Semifinals on Saturday afternoon.
Matt Brock's squad knew they were in for a battle with a physical CBC team but the Spartans got off to a promising start with a
Kai Woodfall three-pointer on the opening possession. Unfortunately for MBU, that would not be a sign of things to come from beyond the arc.
Four points was the largest lead for either team until
Pablo Hernandez scored from down low with 25 seconds left in the first half. Missouri Baptist had a 26-20 advantage at the intermission.
After making just 4-11 from 3PT range in the first 20 minutes, the Spartans' struggles from deep were even more prominent in the second half. The NAIA's No. 4 ranked three-point shooting team (40.5%) made just 2-10 down the stretch. Meanwhile Central Baptist made 5-8 from three in the second half and 15-23 from the field in general.
Despite the offensive woes, the Spartans still found themselves ahead 56-55 with 2:13 to go. But that would be the timestamp of the home side's final FG and CBC took advantage. Quentre Roberts hit a go-ahead three with 31 seconds left to give the Mustangs a 61-58 edge.
MBU couldn't answer at the other end and were forced to start the foul game for the final 20 seconds. The Mustangs made their free throws and eliminated the Spartans with a final score of 64-60. CBC advances to Championship game where they will face Park (Mo.) on Tuesday night.
In his final home game,
Pablo Hernandez led MBU with 24 points.
Jahmouri Robinson and
Kai Woodfall each finished in double figures with 13 apiece. Percell Washington led Central Baptist with 20 points.
The Spartans will now wait until March 13 to learn their opponent for the first round of the NAIA National Championship. The bracket reveal will take place at 5 pm on Facebook Live.
The first round of the NAIA Division I National Championship will get underway on March 20 at the Municipal Auditorium in Kansas City, Mo.
