ST. LOUIS – A golden opportunity for MBU Women's Basketball to rebound from a well-fought loss to (RV) Indiana Wesleyan heading into Winter Break was squandered on Saturday with a lackluster performance on the boards. Missouri Valley College nearly doubled the Spartans' rebound total en route to an 82-69 victory at the Petty Sports & Recreation Complex.
 
The Vikings terrorized MBU in the paint outrebounding the Spartans, 53-27. The minus-26 rebounding margin, minus-10 deficit in offensive rebounds (21-11) and 25 second-chance points for MVC proved to be the difference maker in a winnable contest for the Spartans.
 
A foul-ridden game also added fuel to the fire as MBU's 28 personal fouls resulted in 32 made free throws on 40 attempts (.800) for Missouri Valley.
 
After starting the season a perfect 4-0, Missouri Baptist (4-2, 0-0 AMC) has now lost back-to-back games and yielded 80+ points in each of the losses. Missouri Valley, on the other hand, has won 4 out of its last 5 and is now one game over .500 at 7-6 overall.
 
MoBap opened the game on a 7-2 run in what turned into a back-and-forth battle. Down by one, Missouri Valley shifted the momentum in their favor on the final possession of the first quarter with a Shalina Harper heave from at least 30 feet at the buzzer to put the Vikings ahead 21-19.
 
The Spartans reclaimed the lead for a brief moment in the second quarter, however, MoVal stretched its lead to seven by the end of the half at 40-33. The lopsided rebounding battle was already in motion with MVC carrying a 25-12 advantage and 8 offensive rebounds into the break.
 
Another quick start to the half for Missouri Baptist got the Spartans within one possession following a Joelle Atkins and-one conversion and a quick steal/easy layup combo from Tionne Taylor. MBU eventually knotted the game at 40-all, but couldn't quite get over the hump and take the lead until the one-minute mark of the third quarter. Sophomore Taylor Norris hit a go-ahead bucket at 56-55 and the Spartans were able to roll into the final period with a slim 58-57 lead.
 
The fourth quarter was embraced by five different lead changes and once again Missouri Valley came out on top, grinding out rebound after rebound and a slew of made free throws down the stretch. MoVal closed out the contest outscoring MBU, 16-2, in the last five minutes of the game.
 
The Vikings had two players record double-doubles – Shanelle Tolley (22 PTS, 12 REB) and Hannah Stephens (14 PTS, 12 REB) – and one more on the verge – Ariel Miller (15 PTS, 7 REB).
 
Missouri Baptist was led by Tionne Taylor, who finished with 18 points on 6-of-14 shooting, 4 rebounds, 3 steals and 1 assist. Alexis Allstun matched her season high in scoring with 12 points to go along with 4 boards, 2 blocks and 2 assists. Five other Spartans scored at least 6 points including senior center Joelle Atkins with a career-high 9 points.
 
Saturday's matchup with Missouri Valley marked the final non-conference tilt for the Spartans. Missouri Baptist opens up American Midwest Conference action this Thursday and Saturday at home with a pair of Top-25 opponents in No. 22 Columbia and No. 23 Lyon.