ST. LOUIS — Missouri Baptist University men's basketball (5–0, 1–0 Heart) continues its undefeated start to the 2025–26 season with two home conference matchups this week, hosting Culver-Stockton College on Wednesday night before taking on Grand View University Saturday afternoon inside the Carl and Deloris Petty SRC.
The Matchups
Wednesday, Nov. 19 — Culver-Stockton College (2–4, 0–1 Heart)
7:30 p.m. CT | Carl & Deloris Petty SRC | St. Louis, Mo.
Live Stream | Live Stats
MBU opens the week with Game 2 of its four-game homestand, welcoming Culver-Stockton for a Heart of America matchup. The Wildcats enter at 2–4 overall and 0–1 in conference play, led by one of the Heart's top scorers in Travis Green III (20.5 ppg). The Spartans have won four straight in the all-time series and hold a 6–4 advantage overall. Last season, MBU defeated C-SC 90–70 on the road.
Saturday, Nov. 22 — Grand View University (6–2, 1–0 Heart)
4:00 p.m. CT | Carl & Deloris Petty SRC | St. Louis, Mo.
Live Stream | Live Stats
MBU closes the week with Game 3 of its four-game homestand, hosting Grand View University for another Heart of America matchup. The Vikings enter at 6–2 overall and 1–0 in conference play, featuring one of the league's most efficient offenses at 87.5 points per game behind standout scorer Daviyon Gaston (17.6 ppg). The all-time series is tied 1–1, with MBU winning 92–87 in overtime in 2022 before Grand View claimed last year's meeting 89–84 in OT.
Spartan Start
Through five games, Missouri Baptist has established itself as one of the Heart's most efficient and balanced teams, averaging 82.4 points per game while allowing just 72.4. The Spartans shoot 48.4% from the field, hold a +8.2 rebounding margin, and force 14.0 turnovers per game. Their second-half performance has been a defining strength, outscoring opponents 228–176 after halftime this season.
MBU's scoring balance continues to be a major factor:
- Javaris Moye leads the Spartans with 17.8 ppg, reaching double figures in every appearance.
- Merquiche Lewis adds 16.0 ppg on a team-best 64.7% shooting, including a 24-point performance vs. Clarke.
- Tristan Wiggins (12.0 ppg) has grown into a reliable perimeter scorer in his freshman campaign.
- Preston Fortner provides 10.8 ppg and 5.6 assists, ranking among the conference's top facilitators.
- Drew Kegerreis rounds out MBU's double-figure scorers at 10.0 ppg, coming off a strong stretch in the Columbia and Clarke wins.
Defensively, MBU averages 9.0 steals and 3.8 blocks per game and has held opponents under 75 points in four of five contests.
What's Ahead
Following this week's back-to-back home matchups, Missouri Baptist continues its four-game homestand with a conference game against William Woods on Nov. 25. The Spartans then close November with a road exhibition at SIUE before returning home for Mission University on Dec. 3.
