SPRINGFIELD, Mo. — The Mission University Patriots showed resilience with a strong second-half push Saturday afternoon, but Williams Baptist University built too large of an early cushion, handing Mission a 95–85 conference loss inside W.E. Dowell Fieldhouse. Mission slipped to 7–12 overall and 3–3 in conference play, while the Eagles improved to 14–2 on the season and 4–1 in conference action.
Pregame
Mission entered the home conference matchup looking to bounce back after a 90–77 loss at Columbia College, sitting at 7–11 overall and 3–2 in conference play.
Williams Baptist arrived as one of the conference's top teams at 13–2 overall and 3–1 in conference play, coming off a 91–87 win over Harris-Stowe.
The contest marked another challenge for the Patriots against a physical Williams Baptist group that featured strong rebounding and multiple scoring options across the lineup.
Game Summary
Williams Baptist set the tone early. Deion Wesson opened the scoring with a jumper, and Jesse Washington followed with a putback as the Eagles raced out to an early advantage. Mission struggled to find rhythm, while Williams Baptist capitalized in transition and on the glass.
Najee Williams briefly answered with a three and a finish in the lane, but the Eagles continued to extend the margin behind buckets from Aseem Luckey and Wesson. Midway through the half, Washington added consecutive scores inside, and a Kylen Kelly three helped push the lead past 20.
Justin Gill and Clifford Barrow provided a spark late in the half. Gill scored inside, and Barrow knocked down a three and free throws in the final minutes, but Williams Baptist maintained control and carried a 49–33 lead into halftime.
Mission came out with urgency after the break. Barrow opened the second half with a three, and Najee Williams followed with back-to-back jumpers as the Patriots trimmed the deficit to 54–40 in the opening stretch.
The Patriots continued chipping away. Gill converted inside, and another Barrow three cut the margin to 58–45. Moments later, Najee Williams buried a three and added a pull-up jumper to bring Mission within 59–54, forcing Williams Baptist to answer.
Each time Mission threatened, the Eagles responded. Wesson knocked down timely threes, and Luckey added finishes in the paint to push the lead back to double figures. Washington followed with a jumper and free throws as Williams Baptist stabilized the game.
Mission kept attacking. Rayshaun Fowler scored off a cut, Jamarian Cato added a basket inside, and Gill converted at the line, but Williams Baptist continued to answer in key moments. Late scores from Wesson and Washington sealed the outcome as the Eagles closed out the 95–85 conference win.
Stat Leaders
Najee Williams: 24 points, 7 rebounds, 4 assists
Justin Gill: 16 points, 4 rebounds
Clifford Barrow: 15 points
Jamarian Cato: 8 points, 8 rebounds
Rayshaun Fowler: 7 points
Postgame
Mission outscored Williams Baptist 52–46 in the second half, showing improved ball movement and defensive energy after halftime. The Patriots shot 39.2 percent from the field and 21.6 percent from three-point range, while Williams Baptist converted nearly 50 percent overall.
Despite the early deficit, the Patriots continued to compete, with Najee Williams leading the offense and Gill and Barrow providing consistent scoring as Mission tried to claw back into the contest.
Next Up
Mission stays home for a non-conference matchup against Ecclesia College on Thursday, Jan. 22 at 7:30 p.m. inside W.E. Dowell Fieldhouse, as the Patriots look to regroup and protect home court.
