SPRINGFIELD, Mo. — The Mission University Patriots made a late push and trimmed the deficit to three in the final minutes, but Williams Baptist held on for an 80-72 win Thursday night in the quarterfinal round of the American Midwest Conference Tournament at W.E. Dowell Fieldhouse.

The game was played at a neutral site as part of the conference tournament.

Pregame

Mission entered the tournament as the No. 6 seed with a 10-18 overall record and a 5-9 mark in conference play. Williams Baptist, the No. 3 seed, came in at 20-5 overall and 10-4 in the conference.

The Eagles had won both regular-season matchups between the two teams.

Game Summary

Williams Baptist struck first and built an early cushion, using strong shooting and second-chance opportunities to take control midway through the first half. After Mission cut the deficit to 10-8 on a Marcell Perry jumper at the 15:23 mark, the Eagles responded with a 10-2 run, stretching the lead to 20-10 following a three-pointer from Deion Wesson.

The Patriots stayed within reach behind Najee Williams, who knocked down a three-pointer and later converted free throws to keep Mission within single digits. A Clifford Barrow three at the 10:24 mark made it 25-20, but Williams Baptist answered again and extended the margin to double digits.

Late in the half, Mission found a spark. Williams drilled a three with 2:27 remaining, and he added four free throws in the final two minutes to help close the gap. However, a late bucket by the Eagles sent Mission into halftime trailing 44-32.

In the second half, Mission worked to chip away. Justin Gill scored on back-to-back possessions midway through the period, and a three-pointer by Jamarian Cato at the 13:19 mark cut the deficit to 52-46.

The Patriots continued to battle. With 5:36 remaining, Cato buried another three to make it 68-61. Mission later trimmed the lead to 70-68 after a Najee Williams layup with 2:46 to play.

But each time the Patriots threatened, Williams Baptist answered. A jumper by Benjamin Noonan pushed the lead back to five, and the Eagles converted key free throws down the stretch to maintain control. Mission cut it to 73-70 with 1:35 remaining, but late baskets and free throws sealed the 80-72 decision.

Williams Baptist finished with a 48-37 advantage on the boards and scored 44 first-half points to set the tone.

Stat Leaders (Mission Only)

Najee Williams — 17 points, 8 rebounds, 5 assists
Justin Gill — 15 points, 6 rebounds
Clifford Barrow — 12 points, 4 rebounds
Jamarian Cato — 8 points, 6 rebounds
Marcell Perry — 6 points, 4 rebounds

Postgame

Mission shot 40.0 percent from the field and went 6-of-21 from three-point range. The Patriots also converted 18-of-28 free throws and committed 12 turnovers.

With the loss, Mission moves to 10-19 overall. The Patriots now await a bid to the NCCAA Regional Tournament as their postseason hopes continue beyond conference play.

Series Notes

• Williams Baptist completed the season sweep, winning all three meetings this year.

• Mission cut the deficit to as few as two points in the second half after trailing by as many as 14.

Next Up

Mission now awaits official word on a potential bid to the NCCAA Regional Tournament, which would extend the Patriots' 2025-26 season.