Eutectics can't dig out of huge first half hole against Patriots

It turned out to be a big day for Baptist Bible College on Thursday. They changed the name of their college and won a men's basketball game all on the same day. Not a bad day at the office. As far as the latter part of that equation, unfortunately the UHSP Eutectics were on the wrong side of a 110-60 decision at Dowell Field House that proved to be the 14^th straight loss for the Purple and Gold.

Baptist Bible wasted no time jumping out to a 20-4 lead before continuing that pace eventually taking a 44-8 advantage. The Patriots overwhelmed the Eutectics in building an insurmountable 60-23 halftime lead. The final margin was exactly the difference that it was at the half as Baptist Bible prevailed 105-68.

Brady Bowers led the Eutectics with 17 points in the contest on just 6-of-9 shooting from the floor. Bowers connected on three of his four three-point attempts. Justin Patton added 10 points off the bench while Sean Paradise Jr. and Dwight Newsome each had eight points. The Patriots put five players in double figures led by Kevin Sorrells Jr. with 21 points and six rebounds followed by Lawson Beem who had 16 points. Jacques Thomas added 15 points and seven boards while Nick Coble and Eli'Jah Smith went for 12 points apiece for Baptist Bible. The Patriots were electric from the floor connecting at 56.3% while UHSP shot 40%. Each team attempted 26 threes with UHSP hitting eight and BBC drilling 12. The Eutectics turned it over 23 times resulting in 31 points for the Patriots as BBC had 13 steals. The 23 turnovers were the second most in a single game for the Eutectics this season after committing 25 in the game prior against Williams Baptist.

Earlier in the day, Baptist Bible College announced a name change to the school for the 2024-25 season coinciding with a jump from the National Christian Athletic Association to the NAIA. The school will change its' name to Mission University and has hopes of being welcomed for membership to the American Midwest Conference. The AMC is in the process of seeing a number of changes on the horizon with Crowley's Ridge and Haskell Indian Nations also submitting applications to join, while Missouri Baptist University has announced they are moving their full affiliation to the Heart of America Athletic Conference.

The Eutectics (1-17, 0-6) jump back into American Midwest Conference play on Saturday when they travel north to meet the Trojans of Hannibal-LaGrange (4-11, 1-5). Tip off is scheduled for 3:00pm at the Mabee Sports Complex. UHSP swept the season series from HLGU last year and has won three straight overall against the Trojans.