CHICAGO, Ill. – Throughout much of Saturday's game in Chicago, Ill. the Missouri Baptist Spartans were able to match #16 St. Xavier University Cougars step for step. But ultimately a shaky stretch midway through the first half made the difference as SXU downed the Spartans MBU 31-13.

In fact, through the first two quarters, the Spartans led in almost every statistical category, except for the one that really matters. MBU had outgained SXU in yardage 211-140 and held the vaunted Cougar rushing attack to just 48 yards.  Despite the advantage in statistics, SXU still led 17-10 at the break due in large part to a few turnovers at inopportune times.

The game began in promising fashion for Missouri Baptist. Kick returner Marcellus Griffin returned the opening kickoff 45 yards to the SXU 48-yard line. From there the Spartans traveled 28 yards in seven plays before Odaine Reid hit a 37-yard field goal to get MBU on the board first.

The Spartans had their only lead of the game at 3-0 but a few costly mistakes later in the half allowed the Cougars to grab momentum and ultimately the game.

With 7:53 remaining in the first quarter, after the Spartans defense had forced a three and out for SXU, returner Griffin muffed a Joe Polselli punt, and it was recovered by the Cougars at the MBU 34. From there SXU was able to convert a fourth and seven from the MBU 31-yard line before eventually booting a 33-yard field goal to knot the game up 3-3 with 3:52 left in the quarter.

Neither team was able to score on their next drive, but early in the second quarter the Spartans were facing a fourth and nine from their own 25-yard line, when a second mistake cost the Spartans. Punter Jaden George was unable to handle a low snap and had to scramble but gained only five yards. The Spartans had turned the ball over on downs at their own 30-yard line. It took only five plays from there before the Cougars gained the lead for good on a three-yard pass from quarterback Scott Ross to receiver Mario Price. With 11:25 remaining in the 1^st half Saint Xavier had a lead they would never relinquish. It was SXU 10, MBU 3.

The momentum then remained squarely on the sideline of the Cougars when on the very next possession, freshman quarterback Cooper Brown was intercepted by Joey Markosovic. The senior linebacker returned the ball 50 yards for another Cougar touchdown.  It was the second week in a row that Brown threw a pick-six. At 9:31 of the second quarter, SXU led 17-3.

It didn't take long for the Spartans to show some signs of life though. On the ensuing drive, MBU went for it on fourth and three from the SXU 26-yard line. Brown found a diving Shane Becker in the back of the endzone, and the Spartans were back within one score at 17-10 with 6:07 remaining the first half.

The Spartans had an opportunity to even the game on their final possession of the first half. Taking the ball over on their own 35-yard line with :24 on the clock and one timeout left, they ran the ball on first down for 7 yards then threw an incomplete pass which stopped the clock at :03. On third and three Brown heaved the ball downfield and it was caught at the Saint Xavier 12-yard line by receiver Kameron Sloan, but time had expired in the 1^st half. The Cougars took a 17-10 lead to the locker room.

The Cougars scored early in the second half when they reached into their bag of tricks to help the offense get moving. Saint Xavier successfully employed a double pass from quarterback Stuart Ross to wideout Kyle Quinn to receiver Mason Gray for 65 yards and a touchdown at the 9:27 mark of the third quarter in order get themselves a little breathing room. They led 24-10 at that point.

On the ensuing drive, the Spartans once again showed they had a little bit of life left. MBU moved the ball from their own 27-yard line to the Saint Xavier one, before two negative plays and an incomplete pass led to an Odaine Reid 23-yard field goal. The Spartans had clawed back to 24-13.

The Cougars answered that with a scoring drive of their own, but theirs ended in a touchdown. With 13:40 left, Ross scored on a quarterback sneak on fourth and inches from inside the MBU 1-yard line and the Cougars had secured the final margin of 31-13.

Overall, it was a couple of miscues in the first half against the 16^th-ranked team in the country which may have been the difference in the game.

For the Spartans, Brown played every snap at quarterback and was 23 of 39 for 224 yards and a touchdown to go along with an interception. He also led the team in rushing with 33 yards. Running back Lionel Banks carried the ball 13 times but only for 18 yards. The game was bit of a coming out party for freshman wide receiver Bailey Dameron. The native of Dawsonville, Ga. finished with six catches for 78 yards.

Defensively, linebacker Blake Kight announced his return after a one-week absence. He finished the game with 16 total tackles. Defensive ends Jeremiah Austin and Rakweon Ramsey both had sacks in the game. For Austin it was his ninth, as he is still the leader in that category for the entire NAIA.

Penalties continue to plague MBU as they were flagged for eight in this game for 69 yards. Through seven games they have committed 56 infractions for just under 600 yards.

The loss is the fourth in a row for the Spartans and drops them to 2-5 overall and 0-3 in the Mid-States Football Association Midwest League.

The Spartans will look to rebound as they host the first of two in a row at home next week. Olivet Nazarene will visit Spartan Field next Saturday for a 1 p.m. kickoff.