ST. LOUIS – Led by a gritty defensive performance and two players with 20+ points, the Missouri Baptist University women's basketball team claimed one of its biggest wins in program history on Friday evening downing (RV) Freed-Hardeman University, 75-58.
It marked the Spartans' first win ever over the perennial powerhouse and 2018 NAIA Division I Women's Basketball National Champion after coming up empty in the previous 16 meetings. In fact, MBU's closest attempts heading into Friday's contest were a 7-point loss at home in 2016 and a 14-point defeat this Spring in the 2020 AMC Tournament Quarterfinals (March 5).
The Spartans remain undefeated and improved to 3-0 on the year, while handing Freed-Hardeman (5-5, 0-4 MSC) its fifth loss in a row.
Neither team could find its shot in the opening quarter, however, Missouri Baptist grabbed the lead early on and slowly, but surely wore out the Lady Lions as the game went on. The Spartans never trailed in the contest and held FHU under 30% shooting in the first three quarters and just 33.3% for the game.
A easy bucket down low by
Alexis Allstun with four seconds remaining on the clock gave Missouri Baptist a double-digit lead heading into halftime, 35-25. Freed-Hardeman cut the margin from 10 to 6 midway through the third, but that was the closest the visitors would get the rest of the way.
Despite having four players in double figures, the Lady Lions were under constant pressure from MBU's tenacious defense and finished the game 13 points below their season scoring average (71.55 ppg).
One of the unsung heroes who didn't show up in the scoring column, but made her presence known on both ends of the court was senior
Joelle Atkins, who posted a career-high 13 rebounds. The 6-0 center from Cabool, Mo. dominated the glass in the first half with 11 boards, surpassing her previous career high (10) in 14 minutes of action. Atkins also led the team in blocks with 2.
The Spartans overcame a mediocre day shooting – 38.5% from the field, 28.6% from 3-point range, and 58.6% from the free-throw line – with very few miscues. MBU turned the ball over just 12 times on Friday, which marked the fewest in a game since December 2018 (7 @ William Woods).
Offensively, guards
Tionne Taylor and
Taylor Norris led the way with 23 and 22, respectively. The two took separate paths to arrive at their point totals. Taylor went 5-for-10 from beyond the arc, a new career best, while Norris went a perfect 9-for-9 from the charity stripe, also a career high for the sophomore.
Joining Taylor and Norris in double figures was
Sara Hermosa, who scored 10 of her 12 points in the second half.
The Spartans will look to extend their winning streak to four tomorrow as they welcome St. Ambrose University (3-0, 0-0 CCAC) to the SRC. Tipoff between the two unbeatens is set for 1 p.m.
