ST. LOUIS – Playing its second game in just over 24 hours, Missouri Baptist Men's Basketball outmuscled its oldest rival Columbia College for a 63-57 win on Saturday night. The Spartans now hold a 3.5 game lead over the Cougars for the top spot in the AMC with four games left in the regular season.
 
It wasn't pretty on Saturday night at the Petty SRC. In fact, it was downright rough from both sides in the first half. 23 personal fouls were called between the two teams in the opening 20 minutes. Columbia had a brief five-point lead for the largest edge of the half. Ultimately, it was MBU who went into the intermission ahead 32-31.
 
The physicality was turned up even another level in the second half. After two CC free-throws made it 39-36 Mobap with 16:21 to go, neither side found the bottom of the basket for the next five minutes. The Spartans finally broke their side of the drought with a jumper from RJ Pair at 10:55.
 
Columbia tied the game at 42 a short time later before Missouri Baptist took the lead for good. Another 21 fouls were committed in the second half resulting in a lot of time spent at the free-throw line. The Spartans were able to convert on 19 of 23 attempts from the stripe down the stretch. Outside of a three from RJ Pair and layup from River Reed, MBU scored 17 of its last 22 points from the line.
 
Despite their second lowest team field goal percentage of the season, the Spartans got the job done in the end. RJ Pair's 19 points led the way followed by 12 from Jadis White. The duo combined to go 18-22 at the FT line.
 
John Yaeger's 11 rebounds -- the most of any player on either team -- played a big part in the Spartans winning the board battle (46-39). River Reed contributed seven as well.
 
From a historical context, the victory checked a few boxes for Missouri Baptist Men's Basketball:

• It's just the second time in program history that the Spartans have swept the season series from Columbia (2018-19)
• It's also the second time in program history that the Spartans have started 12-0 in the AMC (also matching the 2018-19 team)

The Spartans will look to keep the train rolling as they now head to Williams Baptist (14-7, 5-6 AMC) on Tuesday. Tip time in Walnut Ridge, Ark. is scheduled for 7:30 pm. MBU returns home for the final time in the regular season next Thursday for senior night against UHSP.