PARKVILLE, Mo. – Missouri Baptist University men's basketball earned an 84-66 road victory over Park University on Saturday in Heart of America Athletic Conference play.
The Spartans improve to 19-9 overall and 13-7 in conference action, while Park falls to 10-18 and 7-13 in league play. With the win, the Spartans clinched home-court advantage for the Heart Quarterfinal on Tuesday, Feb. 14.
MBU placed four players in double figures, led by
Javaris Moye, who scored
22 points on 10-of-19 shooting while adding five assists, three steals, and two blocks.
Austin Lewis added
16 points, including three dunks in the second half, while
Merquiche Lewis finished with
15 points and five rebounds.
Isaiah Dixon contributed
11 points and six rebounds, and
Drew Kegerreis chipped in eight points.
The Spartans shot
50.7 percent from the field (34-of-67) and
40.9 percent from three-point range (9-of-22), including
60.0 percent shooting in the second half. Missouri Baptist assisted on 23 of its 34 made field goals and committed just five turnovers.
Park was paced by
Amaire Perkins, who scored
17 points, while
Tristan McRoberts added
16 and
Jamaal Davis finished with
13 points and seven rebounds. The Pirates shot
32.9 percent from the floor (23-of-70) and just
16.7 percent from three-point range (4-of-24).
Missouri Baptist controlled the game from the opening possession. Moye opened the scoring with a three-pointer, and the Spartans raced out to a 10-0 lead in the first three minutes. A second Moye three at the 16:08 mark extended the advantage to 13-2 as Park struggled to find rhythm offensively.
The Spartans pushed the lead to 20-7 following a dunk from Dixon and a steal-and-score by Moye. Missouri Baptist's defensive pressure forced 12 Park turnovers in the game and held the Pirates to just 26.3 percent shooting in the first half.
Park trimmed the deficit briefly midway through the half, but Missouri Baptist answered with balanced scoring down the stretch. Late baskets from
Austin Lewis and
Tristan Wiggins helped the Spartans carry a
41-24 lead into halftime.
Park opened the second half with a pair of three-pointers to cut the margin to 41-30, but Missouri Baptist quickly responded. A three from
Preston Fortner and consecutive baskets from Moye rebuilt the lead to double digits.
The Spartans extended their advantage to 66-47 with 8:19 remaining following a dunk from
Austin Lewis. After Park trimmed the deficit to eight midway through the half, Missouri Baptist answered with a 10-2 run highlighted by another Lewis dunk and a three-pointer from Kegerreis to stretch the lead back to 77-64.
Austin Lewis sealed the game in the final three minutes, converting a three-pointer and two additional dunks as Missouri Baptist pushed the lead back to 20 before closing out the 18-point victory.
Missouri Baptist finished with a 44-34 advantage in points in the paint and outscored Park 13-2 in points off turnovers.
STATISTICAL LEADERS
Points: Javaris Moye – 22
Rebounds: Isaiah Dixon &
Tyson Williams – 6
Assists: Preston Fortner – 9
3-Pointers: Javaris Moye &
Preston Fortner – 2
Steals: Javaris Moye &
Preston Fortner – 3
Blocked Shots: Javaris Moye – 2
WHAT'S NEXT?
The Spartans will take on Central Methodist University in the Heart Quarterfinals on Tuesday, Feb. 24, at home
