ST. LOUIS—MBU Men's Basketball (14-11, 10-9 AMC) broke out of a four-game slump by knocking off St. Louis College of Pharmacy 89-80 at home on Tuesday night. With three games left, Missouri Baptist sits seventh in the AMC. The top eight at seasons' end advance to the AMC Postseason Tournament.
 
Playing with a short bench after an onslaught of recent injuries, the Spartans knew they couldn't take the visiting Eutectics for granted. But early on Tuesday night, it was the underdog STLCOP who controlled the game. They led by as many as nine (17-8) after seven minutes.
 
In fact, the Spartans led 4-2 after a minute and a half and then trailed all the way up until 30 seconds remained in the opening half. A 41-35 deficit was erased in the blink of an eye by two three-pointers from Brendon Hardy. MBU went into the break leading 43-42.
 
Hardy finished the first half with 11 points and then took his game to another level in the second half. The sophomore went 6-10 from the field in the final 20 minutes to post a career-high 30 points. The Spartans needed all of them.
 
The second half featured eight lead changes with STLCOP up by as many as six at one point. Paced by Hardy and seniors James McKelvin, Jahmouri Robinson, and Hasaan DeCarolis, the Spartans rallied back to a tie and finally took the lead for final time with 8:57 left. Mo. Bap played from in front the rest of the way in route to a nine-point win.
 
Hardy finished 10-19 from the field and 5-9 from three. He added five rebounds and three assists to boot. McKelvin double-doubled for the third time this season, tying a career-high with 13 rebounds while also scoring 16 points.
 
Forced into action due to the rash of recent injuries, sophomores Morenke Bettis and Naod Rezene stepped up with key minutes for MBU. Bettis registered 11 points and five rebounds while Rezene tied a career-high with 10 points in just under 20 minutes of floor time.
 
The Spartans shot exactly 50% (35-70) from the field as a team and survived despite not putting forth their best defensive performance of the season. STLCOP fired at a 47.7% clip from the field. MBU dominated the rebound battle with a 44-31 advantage.
 
Just one home game remains now for the Spartans but before that, they'll head south to meet Williams Baptist in Walnut Ridge, Ark. on Thursday (7:30 pm) and Freed-Hardeman in Henderson, Tenn. on Saturday (3 pm).

*Note: because the Spartans scored 70 at home on Tuesday night, box combos are buy one, get one at the Raising Cane's on Manchester Rd. in Des Peres all day Wednesday.*