University Park, Ill. - Despite holding a lead heading into the final frame of action MBU was beaten by Mount Vernon Nazarene 71-64.

In the first quarter of play MBU shot just under 50 percent from the field leading to 17 points, but trailed by one point heading into the second quarter.

The pace of scoring slowed down mightily in the second frame as the Spartans outpaced their opponent 12-11 to tie the game prior to halftime.

Sophia Horton led the team in scoring in the first half with 10 points.

Directly after halftime Mount Vernon Nazarene took a five point lead, but Bryce Dowell knocked down a pair of threes to take the lead.

Dowell continued her success throughout the quarter and finished with 12 points in the third.

On the Spartans' final possession of the third quarter Horton knocked down a triple as time ran out to give MBU a five point lead before the fourth quarter.

In the final ten minutes of play MoBap was outscored 25-13 leading to a 71-64 loss.

The final score was Mount Vernon Nazarene's largest lead throughout the contest and there were eight lead changes.

Horton and Dowell led the team in scoring as they scored 19 apiece.

Jalexis Russell finished one point shy of a double-double with 10 rebounds, and Tyler Butler finished with nine rebounds.

The Spartans will return to the court in the 2024 portion of the season starting their conference schedule on the road at Stephens College on Jan. 4.