FAYETTE, Mo. – Facing its toughest test yet, Missouri Baptist women's basketball hit a speed bump in the early going of the season Saturday night.
MBU (2-2) ran into the buzzsaw that is No. 9-ranked and reigning NAIA national tournament semifinalist Central Methodist (CMU), falling 95-75 back to .500 on the season. The Spartans left Puckett Field House having fought hard, but not being able to keep up with the high-powered Eagle offense that averages 95 points a game.
MoBap fell behind early and ended the first quarter down 27-13. Leading scorer on the night Daryna Bachkarova 32 points and spearheaded the charge in building the CMU lead. Things would get worse before they got better, as the Eagles kept the foot on the gas in the second and built a near 30-point cushion at times before both sides were headed to the locker rooms.
MBU would take the consolation of winning the third quarter.
Tionne Taylor would see her offense blossom in the 10 minutes following intermission, scoring 12 of her team high 18 points. The senior finished with four rebounds, four assists, and two steals as well.
The Spartans got back within 12 with eight minutes remaining, but a minute and a half lull in scoring for both teams that was snapped by five CMU points in quick succession. MBU couldn't muster enough to get the game within single digits, and the Eagles rode into the night with the 20-point victory.
The Eagles made their statement from the 3-point line. CMU netted 11 treys to MoBap's 2, knocking down an astounding 55 percent from beyond the arc to keep the game out of reach from the Spartans.
Other noteworthy Spartan statlines included
Kelsie Williams (13 points, 9 rebounds, 3 assists & 3 steals),
Deyana Dodd (11 points, 8 rebounds, 6 steals, 6 assists),
Kasey Rice (11 points, 3 rebounds), and J'Lessa Jordan (9 points, 7 rebounds).
Missouri Baptist will now turn its attention to the American Midwest Conference just four games into the young season. The Spartans will play host to the Owls of William Woods University in the first AMC action of the year. Tip-off is set for Thursday, Nov. 17th at 5:30 pm.
