OLATHE, Kan. – Missouri Baptist University men's basketball picked up a 78-63 road victory over MidAmerica Nazarene University on Friday afternoon at Cook Center. The Spartans improve to 15-7 overall and 9-5 in the Heart of America Athletic Conference, while the Pioneers fall to 11-11 and 6-8 in league play.
Missouri Baptist was led by
Javaris Moye and
Austin Lewis, who each finished with 25 points. Lewis was highly efficient, shooting 11-of-12 from the field and 3-of-4 from three-point range, while Moye added five assists and three steals. The Spartans shot 58.2 percent from the field (32-of-55) and 47.4 percent from beyond the arc (9-of-19).
MidAmerica Nazarene was paced by Landon Wagler's 19 points, while Malachi Bryant added 12 points. The Pioneers shot 38.9 percent from the floor (21-of-54) and 40.7 percent from three-point range (11-of-27).
The opening half featured a tight, back-and-forth battle, with neither team leading by more than six points. Missouri Baptist built an early 8-4 advantage behind baskets from
Preston Fortner and
Isaiah Dixon, but MNU responded with a trio of three-pointers to take a 20-15 lead midway through the period. The teams traded leads several times, with Moye scoring 11 first-half points to keep the Spartans in front.
With the score tied at 34 late in the half, Missouri Baptist closed on a strong note.
Preston Fortner knocked down a three-pointer at the buzzer, giving the Spartans a 37-34 lead heading into the locker room.
Missouri Baptist took control early in the second half, opening with a 17-6 run over the seven five minutes.
Drew Kegerreis sparked the stretch with a three-pointer, while Lewis turned up the heat with five more points during the run to extend the lead to 54-40.
MidAmerica Nazarene attempted to rally midway through the half behind a pair of three-pointers from Wagler, cutting the deficit to 59-50 with just over seven minutes remaining. Missouri Baptist quickly answered, with Lewis leading the way with 12 points in the final seven minutes, slamming the door with a 78-63 final score.
STATISTICAL LEADERS
Points: Javaris Moye &
Austin Lewis – 25
Rebounds: Merquiche Lewis – 9
Assists: Javaris Moye – 5
3-Pointers: Javaris Moye &
Austin Lewis – 3
Steals: Javaris Moye – 3
Blocked Shots: Isaiah Dixon – 2
WHAT'S NEXT?
Missouri Baptist continues Heart of America Athletic Conference play on Wednesday, Feb. 4, traveling to Fulton, Mo., to face William Woods University. Tipoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m.
