ST. LOUIS – Sometimes you just run into a hot shooting team. Behind the strength of 19 successful three-point shots, the Briar Cliff Chargers handed the Missouri Baptist Spartans their second consecutive home loss, 90-75, Thursday night at the Petty SRC.
 
The Chargers were a scorching 59% from behind the arc on 32 attempts. For their part the Spartans only attempted 12 three-pointers and were successful with four. It was actually a stunning result in that MBU shot the ball at 49% on the evening with one more attempt (56) than BCU, yet still lost the game by 15 points.
 
Chargers Graduate student Jaden Kleinhesselink was the story of the night as he connected on nine of 11 shooting from behind the arc and finished with 30 points.
 
The Chargers led this game virtually throughout.  The Spartans got on the board first with a pair of Bryce Johnson free throws. It was the only lead the Spartans would have though as Kleinhesselink answered with his first three pointer to put the Chargers on top just a minute and 37 seconds into the game.  The Spartans would stay close and get even at eight on a layup by Tyrell Andrews with 14:17 left in the half, but BCU would go on a 9-0 run to gain a lead they would hold for the duration. The Chargers cushion would swell to 10 in the first half, but they would settle for a four point lead at the halftime break.
 
The Spartans trimmed the deficit to just one possession and had the ball on two occasions in the second half, but each time were unable to get over the top and take the lead.  The Chargers lead would grow to as many as 25 with 5:30 remaining. MBU showed some grit down the stretch in outscoring the Chargers 17-7 in the final five minutes, but the deficit proved to be too much.
 
The Chargers were exquisite with sharing the basketball on the offensive end, finishing with 20 assists on 31 made baskets. They had only 12 made baskets from inside the arc and 19 from behind the line.
 
Joining Kleinhesselink in double-figures for the Chargers was Quinn Vesey with 16 points and Connor Groves with 13 points. Both Vesey and Groves had 3 three-pointers in the game. Coming into the game BCU was 27% on the season from behind the arc.  They were 59% on Thursday night.
 
The Spartans had three players score in double-figures: Andrews with 16 points, Brendon Hardy with 15, and Jadis White with 11. 
 
The Spartans drop to 8-8 on the season. BCU improves to 7-6. 
 
The home loss is the second in a row for MBU. This is only the second time that has occurred in the last four seasons, spanning the entirety of head coach Preston Ingram's tenure which began in the 2019-20 season. That year the Spartans lost to Lyon College on January 25 and Lindenwood University-Belleville on February 6, 2020. They are now 34-9 at home in the Preston Ingram era.
 
MBU will be back in action next Monday when they travel to Marshall, Mo. to face Missouri Valley College. The Spartans will return to American Midwest Conference play a week from Saturday when they host the University of Health Sciences & Pharmacy. Tip-off is scheduled for 3:00 p.m.