MCPHERSON, Kan. – Despite an explosive offensive performance from guard Tionne Taylor, Missouri Baptist Women's Basketball was unable to overcome a balanced Bulldog attack and fell short in a game that came down to the final minutes on Friday night. The Spartans were able to hang tough all through the game with the McPherson College Classic tournament host, but a complete lack of bench scoring and buckets in crunch time resulted in a 63-57 loss in the first of two games for MoBap in the Sunflower State.

Taylor poured in 26 to lead all scorers, hitting on four 3-pointers and adding six rebounds and three assists. Also recording double digits in the Spartan point column were guard Lauren Ebert, with 13, and center Alexis Allstun, who recorded a double-double by chipping in 11 points and 12 rebounds. Forward Joelle Atkins nabbed the most boards for MBU with 14.

McPherson forward Brittany Roberts led her team with 15 points and pulled down 20 boards. The Bulldogs saw nine players put points on the board, including a strong outing from Madelyn Hankins, who racked up 14 off the bench.

MoBap sprinted out to a 9-0 advantage to start the game, but the Bulldogs fought back and regained the lead with 2:18 left in the first quarter. From there, it was back and forth until the final whistle blew. The Spartans went into the half down three and got to within one at the end of the third frame. After getting a 43-42 lead early in the fourth, the Bulldogs took it back for good and held on thanks to seven made free throws down the stretch.

Missouri Baptist will finish out the weekend playing Bethel College (Kan.) in its second game of the tournament in McPherson, Kansas on Saturday, Oct. 30 at 2:00 p.m.