ST. LOUIS - Despite holding a slim lead at the halftime break MBU falls to Ottawa 70-61.
The beginning of the first quarter was a back and forth contest as neither team gained a significant lead over the other.
In the final five minutes of the quarter Ottawa went on a 12-3 run which put them up 21-12 going into the second quarter.
The Braves were able to take advantage of MBU's mistakes as they had nine points off turnovers in the first 10 minutes of action.
Ottawa got out to a 12 point lead in the second quarter following a three pointer, but MoBap quickly turned things around going on an 11-0 run to make it 24-23.
Aliyah Williams sparked the run as she hit two three-pointers including an and-one for a four point play on her way to an 11 point second quarter.
Three layups from Williams, Amar Mansour, and Bryce Dowell in the final 90 seconds of the half gave MBU a three point lead going into halftime with the score at 33-30.
At the break Williams led the team with 11 points followed by Mansour with seven.
Mansour also pulled down six rebounds along with three assists in the first half.
The third quarter did not go in favor of the Spartans as they were outscored 21-8.
MBU went ice cold from the field as they went 1-14 in the third quarter.
Ottawa jumped out to their biggest lead of the game in the fourth quarter with just under five minutes remaining making the score 61-48.
With a minute and a half left a layup by Sophia Horton cut the Ottawa lead to just five points, but that was as close as the Spartans would get as Ottawa fended off MBU and came away with a 70-61 win over MoBap.
Dowel finished with 14 points leading the Spartans followed by Williams with 13.
Mansour did a little bit of everything throughout the game as she had seven points, 10 rebounds, and six assists.
MBU will return to the court Thursday night when they host Baptist Bible College in the Carl & Deloris Petty SRC at 7:00 pm.
