ST. LOUIS — Missouri Baptist University men's basketball (8–0, 4–0 Heart) enters the first week of December as the Heart of America's lone undefeated team, set for a Wednesday home matchup with Mission University before traveling to second-place Graceland University on Saturday afternoon.

The Matchups

Wednesday, Dec. 3 — Mission University (3–6)

7:30 p.m. CT | Carl & Deloris Petty SRC | St. Louis, Mo.
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MBU meets former AMC foe Mission University for the eighth all-time matchup. The Spartans lead the series 6–1 and have won three straight, including a 2–0 sweep last season in their final year in the AMC. MBU averages 92.5 points per game all-time against the Patriots and is 2–1 at home in the series.

Mission enters at 3–6, led by guard Najee Williams (26.5 ppg, 51.4% FG) and wing Clifford Barrow (18.8 ppg, 4.2 rpg). MU averages 86.9 points per game but allows opponents to shoot 48.4 percent from the field.

Saturday, Dec. 6 — at Graceland University (8–2, 3–0 Heart)

2:00 p.m. CT | Closson Center | Lamoni, Iowa
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Saturday marks a first-ever meeting between Missouri Baptist and Graceland — a matchup of the top two teams in the Heart standings.

Graceland enters the week 8–2 overall and 3–0 in Heart play, riding a six-game winning streak. The Yellowjackets feature one of the most productive one-two scoring punches in the conference:

Cole Bowen — 19.1 ppg, 6.9 rpg, shooting 52.6% from the field and 84.2% at the line (21.3 ppg in Heart play).

Carson Busch — 12.5 ppg, shooting 45.5% from three.

As a team, GU averages 81.7 points, shoots 46.9%, and holds opponents to 65.4 points per game while winning the rebounding battle by nearly +10 per game.

The winner of Saturday's matchup takes early control of first place in the Heart of America Conference.

Spartan Start

MBU continues its best opening stretch since the 2018–19 season, entering the week as the Heart's only undefeated program at 8–0 overall and 4–0 in conference play.

The Spartans average 81.0 points, shoot 49.1%, and hold opponents to 70.8 per game while maintaining a +6.8 rebounding margin. MBU has outscored opponents 342–267 in second halves, a +46 margin that has carried multiple wins.

MBU continues to lean on elite balance through eight games:

• Four Spartans are averaging 11+ points per game: Javaris Moye (15.6), Merquiche Lewis (15.5), Tristan Wiggins (11.6), and Preston Fortner (11.1).
• Merquiche Lewis remains one of the Heart's most efficient forwards, shooting 62.2% from the floor and averaging 15.5 ppg and 4.8 rpg across eight starts.
• Javaris Moye (15.6 ppg): A dynamic two-way guard and reigning Heart Defensive Player of the Week, leading MBU in steals (19) and free-throw makes (37) while shooting 82.2% at the line.
• Tristan Wiggins (11.6 ppg): A strong scoring option on the floor, shooting 44.3% from the field and ranking among the team leaders in free throws attempted.
• Preston Fortner (11.1 ppg, team-high 33 assists): The Spartans' floor general, shooting 51.6% overall and 41.2% from three while averaging 4.4 assists per game.