COLUMBIA, Mo. – MBU Men's Basketball matched (RV) Columbia College shot for shot for the first 15 minutes of the first half on Thursday before a disastrous end to the period ultimately spelled doom in a 93-70 defeat.
 
On the hunt for a season sweep of their rival Columbia, the Spartans trailed by no more than four until 6:16 remained in the first half. It was 29-25 CC when the Cougars the tear began. CC would score on 9-10 field goal attempts, including five threes. In a worst case scenario, the Spartans were held without a field goal during that stretch until a bucket with five seconds remaining finally snapped the drought.
 
Columbia led 55-30 at the break and, despite going on to outscore CC in the second half (40-38), the Spartans were never able to recover to threaten the Columbia lead.
 
One of the few bright spots on the night was the continued solid play of freshman Billy Francis Jr. The Louisiana native made 6-9 field goal attempts including 6-7 from 3PT for 18 points. Francis Jr. also had three rebounds and three assists.
 
Fellow freshman Nisheem McNeal-Wright also put forth a solid stat line. McNeal-Wright posted a new career-high 13 points (5-8 FG) to go along with three steals.
 
The Spartans are back home next Tuesday against Williams Baptist for the first contest in a three-game week. Tip time is set for 7:30 pm.