COLUMBIA, Mo. – With the No. 1 spot up for grabs in the American Midwest Conference, the stakes of Saturday's game with Columbia College could not be understated. After a valiant effort that came up just short, Missouri Baptist women's basketball will have to wait another day to clear the mental hurdle of having not won at the Southwell Complex since 2006.
 
MBU (17-4, 13-2 in AMC) had been on a tear going into the game with the Cougars. The Spartans had won 10-straight, but with the 71-65 loss to Columbia (19-4, 14-2 in AMC), that streak has now been bookended by defeats to CC. Missouri Baptist is now unable to control its own destiny as the Cougars have taken both games against the Spartans this season.
 
MBU won the first quarter 12-9 in what was a defensive battle before CC sophomore Mallory Shetley broke the contest open. Shetley netted 18 from a 30-point second frame that saw the Cougars go to the break ahead by 15.
 
The Spartans were undeterred and clawed their way back into the game. They did so off the back of Alexis Allstun, who scored 17 second half points. The senior would lead in rebounds with six, had five blocks, and spearheaded Spartan the comeback. MBU never regained the lead, however, tying the game at 52 with 5:53 remaining. CC then rattled off a 7-2 run over the next two minutes and converted on enough trips to the free throw line to seal MoBap's fate.
 
Other stat lines of note for the Spartans included Tionne Taylor (10 points, 4 rebounds, 3 assists), Kasey Rice (9 points, 4 rebounds), and Lauren Ebert (9 points, 6 rebounds).
 
Missouri Baptist must shake off the loss and prepare for a three-game week. The Spartans will travel to Hannibal-LaGrange for a game with the Trojans on Tuesday, Feb. 7th, at 5:30 pm.