ST. LOUIS, Mo. — The Missouri Baptist University women's basketball team played its second regular-season road game against University of Health Sciences and Pharmacy in St. Louis on Saturday afternoon, falling just short in a 74-72 loss. Paula Puzule paced the Spartans with 16 points, along with one rebound, two assists, and a block. 

The Spartans surged in the third quarter, outscoring the Eutectics 23-15 to take a brief lead, but UHSP closed strong in the final minutes to hand MBU its second loss of the season. 

Senior guard Paula Puzule led Missouri Baptist with 16 points, knocking down five 3-pointers. Riley Jansen added 13 points on an efficient 4-of-5 shooting and was a perfect 4-for-4 from the free-throw line. Jenna Plymale posted a double-double with 13 points and 14 rebounds, anchoring the Spartans on the glass. 

MBU shot 33.3% from the field and 31.3% from 3-point range while outrebounding UHSP 43-47. The Spartans' bench contributed 28 points, but late turnovers and cold shooting in the fourth quarter proved costly. 

UHSP was led by Analyssa Maldonado, who scored a game-high 24 points with eight assists, including several key baskets in the closing stretch. 

The team returns to action on Wednesday, Nov. 12, at 5 p.m., when the Spartans travel to Columbia College in search of their first win of the season.