TALLADEGA, Ala. – Missouri Baptist Men's Basketball overcame a 12-point second half deficit to force overtime but eventually fell to (RV) Faulkner (Ala.) 79-70 on Saturday afternoon. The Spartans will return to St. Louis for their home opener on Tuesday against Missouri Valley.
 
After a win over Talladega on Friday, the Spartans once again proved they could play with the best in the NAIA in a closely contested first half. After jumping out to an early 7-0 lead, Faulkner stayed ahead for most of the first half. However, after the midway point of the half, the lead never exceeded four points.
 
Though it was short-lived, MBU battled back to take its first lead with 3:57 remaining before the break on a three by Jadis White. 11 first half points by center Ryan Pollard kept the Spartans within range as they trailed by four (32-28) at intermission.
 
Faulkner turned up the pressure in the second half and stretched their advantage out to as many as 12. MBU again clawed back and with three minutes left they returned the deficit back to four. Back to back buckets from White, with a steal by the former Chaminade product mixed in, tied the game at 54.
 
Faulkner scored the next six points and led 60-54 with only 1:19 to go. A three from John Yaeger brought it to a one possession game and MBU got the defensive stop they needed at the other end to have a chance to tie.
 
Out of a timeout, the play Head Coach Preston Ingram drew up put the ball in the hands of junior Tyrell Andrews. The Barton CC transfer came through with a three that banked in to tie the game and send it to OT.
 
The Spartans would not be as fortunate in the extra period. Faulkner made 5-7 from the field and pulled away with 19 more points. The Eagles would earn the victory 79-70 to bring MBU's overall record to 1-1.
 
Pollard led the Spartans with 21 points on 9-13 from the field. Yaeger and Andrews each finished with 11 points. Brendon Hardy brought down a team-high seven rebounds. After going to the line 45 times on Friday against Talladega, MBU made just 18 trips on Saturday and converted only 11 of those.
 
Faulkner (2-0) was led by 20 points from C.J Williamson and 19 from Garrett Sanderson. The Eagles out-rebounded MBU 41-35.
 
Tip time for the Spartans on Tuesday is scheduled for 7:30 pm. Spectators are still not allowed at MBU sporting events but fans can stream the game live on SpartanDigitalNetwork.com.