ST. LOUIS – There were no last-second heroics needed in Missouri Baptist women's basketball's 70-47 win over Central Baptist College (11-6, 7-6 AMC) on Thursday evening. The Spartans pieced together one of the most dominant second halves in recent history by holding the Mustangs to four field goals and a 12-percent shooting clip in the final 20 minutes.
 
Along the way, MBU freshman center Alexis Allstun etched her name in the record books breaking the individual mark for rebounds in a single game. Allstun cleaned up the glass all night long and pulled down her 20^th rebound of the game late in the fourth quarter. Not only did the 6-1 freshman surpass her career high by five, but she also broke a 10-year mark previously held by Ashley Johnson (19 vs. Calumet St. Joseph – 11/7/2009).
 
The Spartans improved their overall record to 6-11 and 6-7 in conference while avenging a four-point loss to CBC in November. The win moves the Spartans within a game of the seventh-place Mustangs (11-6, 7-6 AMC).
 
"We were just locked in," said MBU head women's basketball coach Samuel Pearson. "I thought we had a great gameplan and our week of preparation had been good with a lot of energy. As long as we stay the course and play a good brand of basketball, things will start falling our way and they did tonight."
 
Through the ebb and flow of the first half, Thursday's game appeared to have the makings of another close finish similar to the November matchup between the two teams. However, Missouri Baptist had other plans.
 
With a six-point lead at halftime (38-32), Missouri Baptist flipped the script on the Mustangs, who entered the contest ranked 14^th in the NAIA in scoring defense (58.31 ppg). The Spartans stole the show defensively holding CBC to 47 points in the game, more than 25 under their season average. The obvious turning point took place in the third quarter when MoBap's near-perfect defensive execution led to a two-point effort for CBC in the period. The Mustangs were ice cold out of the break shooting 1-for-19 (.052) and 0-for-8 from 3-point range.
 
The lockdown defense didn't stop there. Central Baptist's leading scorer Holly Allen (14.6 ppg) put up a goose egg going 0-for-7 from the field and 0-for-6 from beyond the arc.
 
One MBU's best all-around games of the season also had its share of noteworthy individual performances. In addition to Allstun's record-setting day, Tionne Taylor registered her sixth game with 20+ points and was just as much of a factor on the defensive end of the floor. The constant hustle from the O'Fallon, Mo. sophomore was evident in her final stat line with 22 points, 6 rebounds, 4 assists, 2 steals and 1 block.
 
Freshman Taylor Norris, who is averaging 15.25 points in an eight-game stretch, was right on target finishing with 16 points on 6-of-14 shooting.
 
Despite allowing Central Baptist 17 offensive rebounds, MBU crashed the boards early and often outrebounding the Mustangs, 58-40.
 
For just the second time this season, the Spartans have won back-to-back games. They will have a shot at their first three-game winning streak on Saturday, but it won't come easy. At 1 p.m., MBU hosts No. 10-ranked Lyon College (16-2, 12-1 AMC), who is currently in a two-way tie for first with No. 15 Columbia College.
 
Because the Spartans scored 70 at home, fans score big at Raising Cane's on Friday. Visit the Raising Cane's Des Peres location at 12215 Manchester Road for a buy-one, get-one free Box Combo deal. Don't forget to mention both basketball programs' wins over Central Baptist.