ST. LOUIS—MBU Men's Basketball defeated Health Sciences & Pharmacy (UHSP) 81-72 on Thursday in the penultimate game of the regular season. The win guaranteed the Spartans a home game in the AMC Quarterfinals on February 25 as one of the AMC's top four seeds.
MBU came into Thursday's matchup with UHSP leading the all-time series 14-0. But early on it was the Eutectics who controlled the play. They led by as many as nine (16-7) as the halfway point of the period approached. Playing without starting point guard
Jadis White, the Spartans would eventually find their footing but still trailed 39-34 at the break.
The halftime talk for MBU served its purpose and it was the seniors who led the way coming out of the locker room.
John Yaeger and
River Reed combined for the first eight points of the half and the game was finally tied again at 42.
The teams traded the lead back and forth until seven minutes remained. A bucket by Reed kickstarted a 13-2 stretch spanning just over four minutes. The lead grew to as many as 10 and the Spartans converted their free throws late to secure a nine-point victory.
Ultimately for the Spartans, the difference in the game came in the paint and at the free-throw line. While UHSP managed to knock down 11-27 three-point attempts, the Spartans succeeded with 30 points in the paint and 33 trips to the free-throw line. They would convert 24 of those attempts from the stripe compared to just 5-9 for the Eutectics.
UHSP didn't seem to have an answer for the athleticism of senior forwards Yaeger and Reed. Yaeger was a perfect 8-8 from the field for 20 points while Reed was not far behind with 15 (5-10 FG).
Brendon Hardy also reached double figures with 12 points (4-7 FG). The Spartans also dominated the rebound battle 34-21 with 18 coming off the offensive glass.
Now at 13-8 overall and 9-4 in the AMC, MBU will have one more chance to position itself before the AMC Tournament. (RV) Central Baptist (13-4, 8-1 AMC), currently sitting at the top of the conference, will visit the Petty SRC on Saturday for the regular season finale. Start time is scheduled for 3 pm.
