SPRINGFIELD, Mo. — Mission University Men's Basketball opened 2026 with a strong home performance Tuesday night, defeating Central Baptist College 87–81 inside W.E. Dowell Fieldhouse. With the victory, the Patriots improved to 6–9 overall and 2–0 in conference play, while the Mustangs dropped to 5–10 and 2–1 in league action.
Pregame
Mission entered the matchup looking to bounce back from its most recent outing, a road loss at Benedictine College. Central Baptist came in having won its first two conference contests and was aiming to maintain its early conference momentum.
Game Summary
Central Baptist opened the night with early perimeter shooting and ball pressure, jumping to a 9–3 lead in the first four minutes. The Mustangs extended the advantage to 31–19 midway through the first half, capitalizing on transition opportunities and offensive rebounding.
Mission steadily worked its way back into the game behind defensive stops and key scoring stretches from Clifford Barrow, Justin Gill, and Najee Williams. A Barrow layup and an inside finish from Williams helped close the gap to 36–30, and momentum fully shifted in the final minute of the half. Williams scored back-to-back baskets, including a jumper with seven seconds remaining, giving Mission its first lead of the night at 40–38 heading into halftime.
Central Baptist recovered after the break, briefly regaining control behind consecutive baskets from Jason Hunt and Derek Magwood to move back in front 45–42. From that point forward, the game became a possession-by-possession battle with multiple lead changes.
Mission answered each Mustang run with timely scoring. A three-pointer from Jordyn Turner put Mission ahead 53–51, and moments later, a Taco Biggs corner three extended the lead to 63–60. Central Baptist continued to respond, tying the game at 67–67 with eight minutes remaining.
From there, Mission's poise and balanced scoring took over.
Barrow drilled a three to reclaim the lead, and a pair of Turner free throws pushed the margin to 72–69. Central Baptist briefly surged back to take a four-point lead at 76–72 with just over five minutes remaining, but Mission closed strong.
A Jamarian Cato layup, followed by a Williams layup, tied the game at 76–76. Moments later, Marcell Perry knocked down a critical three-pointer with 3:14 left to push Mission ahead 79–76. The Patriots then controlled the final three minutes, stretching the lead to six after a Perry and-one conversion and late free throws from Biggs and Cato.
Central Baptist hit a late three to stay within reach, but Mission protected the basketball and secured defensive stops in the final minute to finish off the 87–81 win.
Stat Leaders
Najee Williams — 17 points, 6 rebounds, 4 assists
Marcell Perry — 15 points, 7 rebounds
Clifford Barrow — 14 points, 3 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 block
Taco Biggs — 10 points, 3 rebounds
Jamarian Cato — 9 points, 5 rebounds
Jordyn Turner — 7 points, key second-half free throws
Davion Sargent-Young — 5 points, 3 rebounds, 2 assists
Mission shot 52.5% from the field and outrebounded Central Baptist 40–44 while also converting 16-of-22 free throws.
Postgame
The win showcased Mission's composure, depth, and second-half execution. After trailing for much of the first half and facing multiple momentum swings in the second, the Patriots closed with discipline, strong defense, and efficient scoring across multiple positions to protect home court.
Next Up
Mission continues conference play at home on Thursday, Jan. 8, hosting Harris-Stowe at 7:30 PM inside W.E. Dowell Fieldhouse.
