ST. LOUIS- The Spartans were back in the Carl and Deloris Petty SRC for the first time since the season opener. They were facing off against the Edgewood College Eagles in an NAIA vs. NCAA matchup.
 
For a little while it looked like it was going to be a tight ball game as the Eagles were only trailing behind the Spartans by a basket. A little over five minutes in the Spartans started to pull away with Mujtaba Alkhaldi kicking things off by scoring on a jump shot.
 
MBU continued to make plays and hold off the Eagles with some solid defense.  At a little under 13 and half minutes left in the half, Courtland Soll was playing tight to his man as he made his way up the court. The junior was able to poke away the ball and go on a fast break but was fouled before he could go in for a layup. Soll made up for the missed opportunity as he drove in to the base line and through a couple of defenders to score a layup shortly after.
 
Keyyaun Batchman is proving to be a steady scorer for the Spartans, sinking a three on the Spartans next possession before the defense even knew what was happening. Batchman went on to score 9 points in the first half. Evan Palmquist also had a solid first half, putting up a total of 11 points. The Houston, Texas native was able to score a total of six points off layups where he was able to weave through the defense and create his own scoring opportunities.
 
The Spartans closed out the half with a statement. Edgewood got the ball on a defensive rebound and made their way up the court. D'Mari Wiltz was waiting at half court as his man made his way to the midline with the ball. Almost immediately after the Eagle's player crossed the center line, Wiltz was able to reach in behind his man and swat away the ball. He was able to collect it and score on a fastbreak with less than ten seconds left in the half, bringing the score to 47-25 MBU.
 
Once again, the Spartans didn't start to pull away till about the five-minute mark where they took that 20 point lead and turn it into a difference of thirty. Spartan defense was able to keep the Eagles out of the paint and force them to try their luck on the perimeter. With the Eagles only shooting a 23.3 field goal percentage, this was definitely to the Spartans advantage.
 
MBU was also forcing turnovers, scoring a total of 15 points by doing so.  With 11:42 left in the half, Preston Fortner was able to grab the ball right out of the hands of an Eagle, sending it up the court to Batchman who scored a layup on the fast break.
 
With such a large gap, MBU players who don't get to see the court on the regular were being subbed into the game. The likes of Preston Fortner, Alex Gager, and Bastien Page had their time on the court. Page was one the highest scorers for the Spartans in the second half while Gage came out and scored four points. Fortner wasn't able to add any points to the board, but he was able to earn three assists and three steals.

Overall, Evan Palmquist led the Spartans in points, scoring a total of 16, the sophomores highest total yet this season. Keyyaun Batchman was a single point behind Palmquist with 15 and Mujtaba Alkhaldi was next with 10.

The Spartans will remain at home for their next game, taking on St. Ambrose University on Nov 15.