ST. LOUIS, MO. – The Spartans were downed 34-31 by the Fighting Saints on Saturday night in a game that saw a four-interception performance from Joe King, a three-hour weather delay, and a walk-off overtime touchdown. 
 
The University of St. Francis scored early in the first quarter on a 19-yard field goal. After a six-yard pass on the Spartans' ensuing drive, lightning from a storm moving into the area delayed the game for nearly three hours before the contest could continue.
 
Once play resumed with nearly eight minutes remaining in the first quarter, an interception by the Saints' defense gave them the ball in their own territory at the 24-yard line. Newcomers Rook Rowe and Kohl Williams broke up one pass each to negate the turnover and force a punt from the offense.
 
The teams took a brief scoring hiatus that was broken up by St. Francis on a 92-yard touchdown pass off the arm of Joey Passo. The Spartans trailed 9-0 after a missed PAT.
 
Missouri Baptist went three and out but were given a gift after a punt was fumbled by the returner. Zack Kern came up with the fumble recovery to set his team up at mid-field for a second shot.
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Josh Munn and the offense made the most of the opportunity. A long run from Kameron Sloan and several visitor penalties set the stage for Felix Pippenger's touchdown carry with 4:32 remaining in the half. Collin Laws nailed the PAT to put his team within two points.
 
St. Francis scored two more times on the Spartans before a response, extending their lead to 18-7 early in the fourth quarter.
 
On their first drive of the fourth quarter and their backs against the wall on third and seven, Josh Munn found Tyler Ball for a 23-yard reception for a first down. He then found Jacob Triplett for a 56-yard touchdown pass on the next play.
 
Brian Maday kicked a field goal on the Saints' next drive to keep the Spartans down seven. With six seconds left in the fourth, Sloan caught a pass that deflected off a St. Francis defender for a 25-yard touchdown. The Laws PAT sent the game to overtime.
 
Ravon Johnson scored on the first drive of overtime followed by a Ke'Vaughn Gaines touchdown reception to tie it back up.
 
Missouri Baptist took the first possession of double overtime. After the offense stalled a little bit, Laws bombed a 41-yard field goal to give his team their first lead of the game. Unfortunately for the home team, the Fighting Saints fought until the end and walked off with a four-yard touchdown run to end the game with a 34-31 final.
 
Triplett, Sloan, and Gaines all had one touchdown reception each while Pippenger punched in the only score on the ground for the Spartans. Munn led the offense all night with 169 passing yards, three touchdowns, and 14 completions on 26 attempts.
 
On defense, Joseph King was a thorn in the side of the opponent with four interceptions and seven tackles. Blake Kight also continued his strong season with 13 total tackles (five solos), two tackles for a loss, and a half-sack.
 
The final opponent of the season will be the 20th-ranked Roosevelt University Lakers. The opening kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. on April 3 in Arlington Heights, Illinois.