ST. LOUIS — Missouri Baptist University men's basketball opens the 2025–26 season Saturday night with a non-conference matchup against the University of Health Sciences & Pharmacy (UHSP). Tipoff is set for 7 p.m. at Maryville University's Moloney Arena inside Simon Athletic Center, with live stats available.
Live Stats
The Matchup
Saturday marks the Spartans' first contest of the new campaign and the program's debut season in the Heart of America Athletic Conference. MBU, picked ninth in the Heart preseason poll, looks to build on last year's 13–17 finish under second-year head coach Taylor Jarvis.
The Spartans face a familiar opponent to start the year — UHSP — a program MBU has dominated historically, holding a 24–0 all-time record in the series. Missouri Baptist went 2–0 against the Eutectics in 2024–25, winning 82–73 on the road and 89–68 at home. The Spartans have averaged 87.3 points per game all-time against UHSP.
Returning Core
A strong returning group headlines this year's roster, led by Preston Fortner, Tyson Williams, Austin Lewis, Thai Elder, and Ryan Murdock.
- Elder averaged 12.5 points and 3.5 rebounds per game last season while hitting 39 three-pointers and shooting 79.6 percent at the free-throw line.
- Lewis shot 52 percent from the field and a team-best 37.9 percent from beyond the arc, averaging 10.2 points and 5.0 rebounds per game.
- Fortner dished out 64 assists to rank among MBU's leaders in ball distribution and knocked down 24 threes.
- Murdock and Williams add experience and depth to a rotation blending key returners with an athletic incoming class from Texas, Missouri, and the Midwest.
New Era in the Heart
Following a successful closing chapter in the American Midwest Conference — where the Spartans went 9–9 and reached the AMC Tournament semifinals — MBU begins its next chapter in the Heart of America, one of the nation's premier NAIA leagues.
Jarvis' squad plays three of its first four games on the road, including Nov. 4 at Brescia University and Nov. 8 in a rematch at UHSP. The Spartans' home opener is set for Nov. 15 vs. Clarke University, marking the first Heart home contest in program history.
Courtside
"First off, the Heart of America is like the Big Ten or SEC of the NAIA," head coach Taylor Jarvis said. "It's a great conference with high-level coaches, high-level facilities, and incredible streams and operations. We are very excited about the move because we feel it matches our program and university well — especially with our goals of becoming a national contender and MBU's mission to be one of the best NAIA institutions in the country."
Scouting UHSP
UHSP returns looking to snap its skid against Missouri Baptist. The Eutectics fell in both meetings last season, allowing 82 and 89 points. MBU has averaged double-digit wins in the all-time series and aims to extend its streak to 25 straight victories.
