ST. LOUIS – There was no lack of heart from Missouri Baptist women's basketball on Friday. The Spartans, in search of their first win over Lyon College in ages, came up just short, 62-60, in a gutsy team effort that deserved a win.
 
Missouri Baptist (11-11, 8-4 AMC) was in it from the beginning, forcing Lyon (19-4, 11-1 AMC) to push the pace and keep up with a spirited Mobap attack. Despite never holding a lead for more than half of a minute in game time and trailing for the entire second and third quarter, the Spartans never seemed out of it and always got key baskets when they needed them.
 
Tionne Taylor was her usual scoring self and was extremely efficient. The senior shot 5-of-9 for 15 points. Juniors Alexis Allstun and Lauren Ebert were also big contributors, recording 14 and 13, respectively. Three players managed to swipe three steals each for Mobap: Taylor, Ebert and Rose Wassef en route to a team total of 12.
 
The Spartans got big bench minutes from forward Jalexis Russell, who pulled down 11 boards and scored nine. Seven of those rebounds were on the offensive end, and all nine of her points came in the first half, arguably being a crucial factor at keeping MBU in the game early on.
 
Even though they trailed by nine going into the fourth, the Spartans battled back to eventually take the lead on an Ebert three-pointer, 54-53, with six minutes remaining. The visitors would regain their advantage soonafter, and it was a battle to the final buzzer. Wassef and MBU's final shot attempt, a three which would have given the home side the lead with six seconds left, clanked off the back iron, sealing the Spartan loss.
 
Other notable performances included graduate senior Joelle Atkins, who led the Spartans in rebounds with 11. It was the second game in a row the Cabool, Mo. product had 11 boards. The Scots saw freshman guard Allison Byars lead them in scoring off the bench, equaling Taylor's total of 15 to lead all scorers.

Saturday now brings a matchup with rival Columbia College (17-5, 10-1 AMC), who because of a schedule change from the midweek winter storm will enter the contest well rested because of its game with UHSP Thursday being postponed. The Cougars will take the floor to face the Spartans in the Petty SRC at 5:30 PM, a rare Saturday night matchup.