ST. LOUIS, Mo. — The Missouri Baptist University women's basketball team fell short against the Culver-Stockton Wildcats on Wednesday evening with a final score of 77-65. The Spartans were very diverse in their offense while having three players with double digit points and eight players on the board. 

MBU opened the game on fire, shooting 57.9 percent in the first quarter and getting nine quick points from Mariana Cubero, who knocked down all three of her 3-point attempts in the period. The Spartans led 26–13 after 10 minutes and pushed the margin to 14 points, their largest lead of the night. 

Culver-Stockton answered with a 26–11 second-quarter surge and continued its momentum after halftime. The Wildcats shot 44.4 percent from the field and capitalized at the free-throw line, converting 21 of 26 attempts to take control. 

Riley Jansen led the Spartans with 16 points and six rebounds, including 10 points in the fourth quarter as the Spartans attempted to rally. Cubero added 15 points and six rebounds, all from beyond the arc, while Eva Parks produced 10 points off the bench. 

The Spartans scored 38 points in the paint and received 35 points from their reserves, but they struggled at the foul line, finishing just 3 of 11. 

Missouri Baptist University returns to the Carl & Deloris Petty SRC on Saturday for its third conference matchup against Grand View University. Tipoff is scheduled for noon, followed by the men's game at 2 p.m.