ST. LOUIS — Missouri Baptist University men's basketball (7–0, 3–0 Heart) looks to build on its undefeated start with a conference matchup Tuesday against William Woods before traveling to SIUE for a Friday afternoon exhibition on ESPN+.
The Matchups
Tuesday, Nov. 25 — William Woods University (3–5, 1–2 Heart)
7:30 p.m. CT | Carl & Deloris Petty SRC | St. Louis, Mo.
Game Notes | Watch | Live Stats
MBU continues its four-game homestand with its 40th all-time meeting against William Woods. The Spartans hold a narrow 20–19 edge in the series, but the Owls have won four straight. MBU's last win over WWU came on Jan. 6, 2024, a 60–54 victory at the SRC.
William Woods enters at 3–5 overall, averaging 72.5 points per game, led by Mark Onyejekwe (13.6 ppg, 58.9% FG, 51.7% 3FG) and guard Isaiah Payne (10.4 ppg, 2.0 spg), with forward Brock Davis (8.8 ppg, 6.1 rpg) anchoring the frontcourt.
Friday, Nov. 28 — at Southern Illinois Edwardsville (Exhibition)
3:00 p.m. CT | First Community Arena | Edwardsville, Ill.
Watch: ESPN+
MBU closes Thanksgiving week with a Division I test on the road, visiting SIUE for its first exhibition of the season. The matchup offers the Spartans a valuable opportunity to measure themselves against OVC size, physicality, and tempo inside First Community Arena.
Spartan Start
Missouri Baptist enters the week as the Heart's lone undefeated team at 7–0 overall and 3–0 in conference play, owning the program's best start since the 2018–19 NAIA National Tournament season. The Spartans have outscored opponents by 10.0 points per game in Heart play and have won seven straight at home dating back to last January.
MBU continues to lean on elite balance:
- Javaris Moye (16.3 ppg) — one of the league's most disruptive two-way guards, leading the Spartans in steals (17) and free-throw makes (30).
- Merquiche Lewis (15.9 ppg, 63.9% FG) — one of the Heart's most efficient forwards.
- Tristan Wiggins (12.4 ppg) — a steady freshman scoring option with double figures in four straight.
- Preston Fortner (11.9 ppg, 4.4 apg) — the Heart's assist leader (31), shooting 51.7% from the field and 41.2% from three.
As a team, MBU averages:
- 82.7 points per game
- 49.3% shooting
- +6.4 rebounding margin
- 8.3 steals & 4.1 blocks per game
- 306–237 second-half scoring margin (+69)
Spotlight: MBU's Defensive Leader
Junior guard Javaris Moye earned Heart of America Defensive Player of the Week honors after totaling 27 points, 6 steals, 6 rebounds, and 2 blocks in wins over Culver-Stockton and Grand View while guarding each team's top scorer. Even on a minutes restriction, Moye's toughness and defensive disruption helped push MBU to 7–0.
What's Ahead
After Tuesday's conference matchup and Friday's exhibition at SIUE, the Spartans return home for a non-conference game against Mission University on Dec. 3.
