OSKALOOSA, Iowa — Missouri Baptist University men's basketball dropped a 69–66 Heart of America Conference road decision to William Penn University on Saturday evening.
The loss moves the Spartans to 12–6 overall and 7–4 in Heart play, while the Statesmen improve to 14–5 on the season and 8–3 in conference action.
Tristan Wiggins led MBU with 13 points on 4-of-9 shooting while going a perfect 5-for-5 at the free-throw line. Drew Kegerreis added 12 points, four rebounds, and three steals, knocking down three 3-pointers, and Merquiche Lewis chipped in eight points and five rebounds. Preston Fortner and Isaiah Dixon each finished with seven points, while Javaris Moye contributed nine points and four assists.
MBU shot 38.3 percent (23-of-60) from the field and 20.0 percent (4-of-20) from three-point range, while William Penn matched the Spartans at 38.3 percent shooting (23-of-60) but held the edge from deep at 6-of-23. The Spartans went 16-of-24 at the free-throw line, while the Statesmen finished 17-of-22 at the stripe.
First Half
The opening 20 minutes featured a back-and-forth battle with multiple lead changes and neither side able to build much separation. Missouri Baptist found early success attacking the paint and forcing turnovers, while William Penn countered with second-chance opportunities on the offensive glass.
The teams traded scores down the stretch, and MBU closed the half with a basket in the final seconds to send the game into the break tied at 30–30.
Second Half
William Penn opened the second half with a surge, building its largest lead of the game midway through the period, but Missouri Baptist responded with timely stops and key scoring plays to climb back into the contest.
The Spartans grabbed a one-point advantage late, but the Statesmen answered in the final minute and sealed the result with a basket in the closing seconds, as MBU's last-second attempt from beyond the arc came up short.
Up Next
Missouri Baptist returns home Wednesday, Jan. 21, for a nonconference matchup against Hesston College. Tipoff is set for 7:30 p.m. inside the Carl & Deloris Petty SRC.
