St. Louis- The Spartans went up against Williams Baptist University in a game that would largely decide where their standing is for the AMC tournament. MBU needed to pull out a win and while it took a couple extra minutes they most certainly did. Through their grit and determination, the Spartans defeated the Eagles 92-88 in overtime.
 
It took a minute before the Spartans were able to knock down their first points of the game. Connor Redrow received the ball just outside the paint and tried to drive in to the front of the basket. With that option shut down, the junior pulled a spin move into step back where he netted the shot. A couple of minutes would go by before the Spartans really got things going. Evan Palmquist received a pass at the half from D'Mari Wiltz and seeing his chance, drove in to the basket sinking a layup right in front of a couple of Eagle defenders. Redrow would keep the momentum going by knocking down a three right at the top of the key thirty seconds later. It didn't stop there. Nico Hill managed to get a step ahead of his defender to receive a bounce pass from Wiltz leading him into his run up to slam down a one-handed dunk. Keyyaun Batchman would wrap up what was one of their biggest runs of the game by driving in to the basket to draw a foul. The senior would then step up to the line and knock down both of his free throws.
 
After the Spartans nine-point run, the game turned into a battle. Williams Baptist did not take it lying down and proved to be a tough opponent for the Spartans. MBU managed to hold on to the lead until eight minutes left in the half. The Eagles clawed their way back from an eight-point deficit, taking a two-point lead. There was a lot of back and forth at this point in the game. Batchman would bring the game back into the Spartans favor by sinking a three-pointer, but it didn't last long with the Eagles sinking the jump shot for a one-point lead. Mujtaba Alkhaldi stepped up and would sink a couple of layups to put the Spartans back on top. The senior would snag an offensive rebound and put it right back up and in the basket. On MBU's next possession Alkhaldi would be right back at it after Breven McMullen would dump him the ball in the paint where he proceeded to put up two more points.
 
After that moment the Eagles would take off, putting up 12 points to take a nine-point lead. The Spartans would manage to put up a couple more points to close out the game. Batchman would step up and knock down a jump shot and sink a layup to bring the score 44-39, WBU.
 
The second half was a nail biter. The Spartans were down by five coming into the half and they would have to work hard to take back the ball game. After rebounding a missed three-pointer on the Eagles end, the Spartans gained possession of the ball. Wiltz took it up the court and with a little bound pass between his legs to McMullen, the sophomore stepped up and knocked down the three-pointer. This further spurred on the Spartans to stay on it and keep fighting. After a three-pointer from the Eagles, MBU would seven points to take back the lead. Batchman would drive in from the top of the key to sink a layup. McMullen would then step up and knock down another three to tie up the game, 47-47. Redrow would then put the Spartans on top with a jump shot at the top of the paint.

The lead would change hands another few times before the Spartans would manage to hold on to it for an extended period. A three-pointer from Palmquist would put the Spartans on top and the sophomore would solidify that lead by making a couple of free throws after being fouled driving into the basket. A three from Hill would then put the Spartans up by seven. They would hold onto that lead for the next seven and a half minutes. WBU would continue to chip at the lead until they would manage to gain a one-point lead. The Spartans would take it back with Batchman putting up four points with a couple free throws and a layup. MBU looked like they had it when Palmquist drove in to sink a layup putting them on top 78-73. The Spartans were unable to hold on as WBU's TJ Clardy would sink a three pointer and make a couple of free throws to send the game into overtime.
 
In overtime, the Spartans quickly gained the lead and refused to let go of it. Redrow knocked down another jump shot from the top of the paint to take the lead for MBU. In the Spartans next possession, Batchman was fouled out in the corner sending him to the line. With the fouls from the second half carrying over into overtime, MBU was in the double bonus. Batchman took this opportunity to step up and sink both of his free throws.

Free throws were really the name of the game in overtime. Multiple Spartans would step up to the line with every single one knocking them down. A minute left in the game, Batchman would be back at the line where he went two for two. With ten seconds left in the game, MBU was up by three and in possession of the ball after a made basket by WBU. The Spartans were trying to run down the clock, forcing the Eagles to foul McMullen at the half court line. The sophomore did his job, sinking both free throws to clinch the win for MBU. With the Eagles TJ Clardy sinking a three right after, McMullen really came in clutch by making his free throws. Sterling Benjamin receive the inbound to hold on to it for the last second of the game. In a last-ditch effort, the Eagles would foul the senior, sending him to the line with less than a second remaining in the game. Bejamin would make both free throws to bring MBU up by four to close out the game.

Keyyaun Batchman and Evan Palmquist both had a big night against the Eagles. They had a combined fifty two points out of the Spartans 92. Batchman walked away with 28 points and 11 rebounds on the night to earn a double-double. Palmquist put up a season high 24 points and was three rebounds short of a double-double of his own. Connor Redrow was the only other Spartan to make his way into double digits with 11 points. MBU will close out the regular season tomorrow (Feb 24) against Central Baptist College at 3 PM. This last game will be the determining factor on whether or not MBU will be the third or fourth seed heading into the conference tournament.