ST. LOUIS— Missouri Baptist Men's Basketball took care of business on Friday afternoon, disposing of Lyon College 91-72 to improve to 11-0 in the AMC. The Spartans will have a chance to put a stranglehold on the top spot in the conference when second-place Columbia comes to town on Saturday.
 
Despite a rare 4 PM/happy hour start time, the Spartans came out and blitzed their opponent just like they've done in nearly every other AMC game so far this season. Three three-pointers from RJ Pair in the first four minutes got things off and running to an early 14-6 lead.
 
The advantage grew to as many as 19 late in the half before Billy Francis Jr. converted a buzzer-beating three to send the Spartans into intermission ahead 52-34. MBU was led offensively in the opening 20 by Pair (13 points) and Tyrell Andrews, who was a perfect 6-6 from the field for 15 points. As a team, Mobap shot 62.5% (20-32).
 
The Spartans continued to exert dominance in the second half. With a comfortable 20+ point edge for much of the period and with eyes looking toward another game tomorrow, Head Coach Preston Ingram was able to use all 12 players in uniform.
 
Pair finished with a team-high 18 points in 25 minutes. While going 4-7 from 3PT, the graduate senior also dished out a career-high six assists.
 
Tyrell Andrews was only needed for nine minutes of the second half and finished with 17 points. He was joined in double figures by River Reed (10). With nine rebounds, Reed narrowly missed his first double-double of the season.
 
Saturday's matchup with Columbia College (14-10, 8-2 AMC) now looms with tip time less just over 24 hours away. The Cougars were scheduled to play UHSP on Thursday, but that game was postponed until February 15. As a result, Columbia will come into Saturday with fresh legs having not played yet this week.
 
A big crowd will be expected with start time on Saturday night scheduled for 7:30 pm at the Carl & Deloris Petty SRC.