ST. LOUIS, Mo. — The Missouri Baptist University women's basketball team stormed back from a slow start on Saturday afternoon, riding a dominant second half and a career day for Riley Jansen to earn its first win of the season and open conference play with a 77-66 victory over Clarke University. 

Jansen powered the Spartans with 26 points and 12 rebounds, finishing 12 of 20 from the field while notching a team-high six offensive boards. The junior forward scored 21 of her points after halftime as MBU outscored the Pride 55–27 over the final two quarters. 

MBU trailed 39–22 at the break after shooting just 1 of 17 from the field in the first quarter, but the Spartans erupted for a 26-6 third-quarter run. Jansen scored 13 in the frame, and MBU forced eight Clarke turnovers to seize a 48–45 lead entering the fourth. 

The momentum carried into the final period. The Spartans stretched the margin to 17 with 2:36 to play, their largest lead of the afternoon, behind timely shooting from their back court. Mariana Cubero and Paula Puzule each added eight points, and Teresa Sandoval scored seven off the bench. MBU's reserves outscored Clarke's bench 27–17. 

The Spartans dominated the interior, posting a 40–24 advantage in points in the paint and out-rebounding the Pride 42–32, including 16 offensive boards. MBU also turned 19 Clarke turnovers into 23 points. 

Clarke was led by Zoe Kennedy's 18 points and nine rebounds, while Josie Potts added 17 points, fueled by a 10-for-14 effort at the free-throw line. 

This win marks Taylor Jacobsen's first career win at Missouri Baptist University.

Missouri Baptist University women's basketball continues conference play on Wednesday, Nov. 19 at 5:30 p.m. at the Carl & Deloris Petty SRC against Culver-Stockton College.