SPRINGFIELD, Mo.- The Spartans went up against Baptist Bible College for the first time since they lost to the Patriots in their home opener back on Halloween. It was a thrilling revenge match as MBU narrowly clinched the victory, 79-76.
 
MBU came in hot with a five-game winning streak, previously breaking into that 100+ point range in their last game against College of the Ozarks. The Spartans took the early lead, putting up the first points of the game with a layup from D'Mari Wiltz. The lead lasted all of one minute until the Patriots evened the score.
 
With the Patriots pulling ahead, the Spartans found themselves down by as much as 16 points nine and a half minutes into the period. Once that 10-minute mark hit, the Spartans started to find their groove, putting points onto the board. The Spartans outscored the Patriots 30–17, closing the gap and making it a four-point ball game. Wiltz kicked off the Spartans comeback after pulling a move on his defender to sink the basket. Connor Redrow followed that up, sinking a dunk over the top of his man. Plays like this really kept the Spartans in it, spurring the momentum that they brought into the second half.
 
Building off the first half, Evan Palmquist snaked his way through the defense, finding the space to make a layup. MBU didn't let up, tying it with a layup from Wiltz. BBC didn't allow the Spartans to hang around for long, bringing their lead to a 12-point difference five and a half minutes in.
 
The Spartans wouldn't let themselves be deterred, going on a 10-point scoring streak, with 14 minutes left in the game. Big plays coming from a number of Spartans led to MBU gaining the lead for the first time since the very beginning of the game. Batchman was able to get a hand on a Baptist Bible pass, taking it up the court, scoring a layup on the fast break. Breven McMullen seized his opportunity when Batchman came away with a defensive rebound. McMullen took off up the court, receiving the ball from Batchman to sink a layup on a fastbreak of his own.
 
MBU took the lead, with 7 and a half minutes left in the game. It was a fight to see who would come out on top, but the Spartans were able to hold on for the rest of the game. At most, the Spartans were up by six after Redrow made a statement with his second dunk of the game. After cutting in along the baseline, the Dallas, Texas native secured a pass from Batchman, slamming it home before the defender even knew what hit him.
 
The last minute of the game was a nailbiter, with MBU ahead by only two points. The Patriots were able to gain control of the ball after a foul on MBU, but the Spartans were able to fend off their attack. Back on the Spartans half, Batchman was fouled, sending him to the line for a set of bonus free throws. After missing the first, the St. Louis native made the second, bringing the score to 77-74. With 30 seconds left in the game, the Spartans couldn't afford to let up. While staying aggressive, the Spartans committed a foul resulting in two made free throws from the Patriots. With only 17 seconds left in the game and a one-point difference, the Patriots were forced to foul, and Batchman was back at the line once again, this time making both. MBU was able to wind down the clock, securing the win 79-76. After climbing their way back from a 16-point deficit, MBU was able to secure their revenge beating the Patriots on their own home court.
 
Batchman was a major player for the Spartans this game, scoring a total of 30 points, the most he has made in a single game. Evan Palmquist has maintained a steady presence for the Spartans, remaining one of their top scorers so far this season. The Houston, Texas native posted a total of 16 points, tying his season-high record in the previous game against Edgewood.
 
The Spartans will be going up against a tough DI opponent, taking on SIU Edwardsville in an exhibition match on Tuesday, Nov 28.