ST. LOUIS—One of the most highly anticipated season openers in recent program history did not go as planned on Friday night for Missouri Baptist Men's Basketball. The Spartans were boat raced 87-54 by Talladega College, the NAIA's 11^th ranked team in the Preseason Top 25 Coaches' Poll.
 
The Spartans' first two baskets of the season – three-pointers by Jadis White and Brendon Hardy – provided hope for a moment. They led 3-0 after White's and trailed 9-6 after Hardy's. But from the five-minute mark of the first half on, it was all Talladega.
 
The Tornadoes used a 14-0 run to stun the Spartans. The home crowd at the Petty SRC watched in awe as one of the best teams in the country extended their advantage to 48-24 at halftime. The second 20 minutes was not much better thought they did manage to lose the period by single digits (9).
 
Brendon Hardy's 14 points led MBU for the night. Jadis White and River Reed each contributed 10. Talladega won the rebound battle 40-39 and dominated in steals and turnovers. The Spartans coughed it up 23 times.
 
The Tornadoes were led by 33 points from Darryl Baker. The NAIA Honorable Mention All-American from last season was 12-18 from the field including 5-8 from three. He was joined in double figures by former Webster Groves HS standout Cam Potts with 14 points.
 
The Spartans will have an opportunity to get right back on the horse on Saturday. They'll take on College of the Ozarks (0-2) in the finale of the Missouri Baptist Classic at 3 pm.