ST. LOUIS — Missouri Baptist University men's basketball (9–1, 4–1 Heart) returns to action on Saturday afternoon, traveling to Atchison, Kan., for a conference road matchup with Benedictine College inside Ralph Nolan Gymnasium. The Spartans look to bounce back following their first loss of the season, while the Ravens aim to snap a two-game skid.
The Matchup
Saturday, Dec. 13 — at Benedictine College (6–5, 3–2 Heart)
4:00 p.m. CT | Ralph Nolan Gymnasium | Atchison, Kan.
Watch | Live Stats
Saturday marks the fifth all-time meeting between Missouri Baptist and Benedictine, with the series tied 2–2. The programs last met during MBU's time in the AMC, splitting matchups across the previous years. This season's contest carries added early-December weight as both teams look to strengthen their footing in the Heart of America Conference race.
Benedictine enters at 6–5 overall and 3–2 in conference play but has dropped two straight league games. The Ravens hold a 3-2 record at home and average 71.9 points per game.
Spartan Start
Missouri Baptist opens the weekend at 9–1 overall and 4–1 in Heart action, still owning one of the conference's strongest statistical profiles despite Saturday's loss at Graceland. The Spartans continue to excel defensively and on the glass, holding opponents to 72.5 points per game, winning the rebounding battle by +4.4, and averaging 9.0 steals and 4.4 blocks per game.
MBU has outscored opponents 422–347 in second halves, maintaining a strong +75 margin after the break. Offensively, the Spartans are producing 80.1 points per game while shooting 46.4% from the field.
Missouri Baptist continues to rely on its established scoring core:
- Javaris Moye (17.4 ppg, 4.0 rpg) — MBU's leading scorer and one of the Heart's most disruptive defenders, totaling 29 steals in nine games while shooting 79.4% from the line.
- Merquiche Lewis (14.3 ppg, 4.6 rpg) — A consistent interior presence, shooting 55.4% overall and posting five double-figure scoring nights in conference play.
- Preston Fortner (11.1 ppg, team-high 33 assists) — The engine of the Spartan offense, averaging 32.4 minutes per game, shooting 49.4%, and leading MBU's transition game.
- Tristan Wiggins (10.4 ppg) — A reliable wing scorer and one of the team's top free-throw creators, ranking among MBU's leaders in attempts at the stripe.
- Austin Lewis & Drew Kegerreis (8.5 ppg each) — Both continue to give MBU versatility: Lewis with inside-out scoring and weak-side shot-blocking (20 blocks), and Kegerreis with perimeter shooting (8 threes) and rebounding.
Despite the recent setback, MBU's defensive metrics, turnover margin (+3.5), and depth across the rotation position the Spartans well entering the final stretch before the semester break.
