Box score | Season stats

BOLIVAR, Mo. -- The seventh-ranked SBU Bearcats started slow at home against the Missouri Baptist Spartans, before using a early 14-0 second half run to blow the game open and cruise to a 106-75 victory. Kurt Koenig led the Bearcats with 22 points, one of five Bearcats in double digits.

Freshman Jacob French had a career high 14 points and seven rebounds while Tomas Brock also had seven boards to go along with 13 points. Tristan Steele had 12 points and Ryan Dougherty added 10 points as the Bearcats (8-2, 0-1 MIAA) extended their home court winning streak to 34 games. The streak is the second longest active run in Division II and dates back to February 2007. Freshman Ivan Cropotov, in his first collegiate start, had eight points and eight rebounds. Stephen Cotten also led SBU with eight rebounds.

The Bearcats had somewhat of a new look, as they played their second straight game without All-American center Matt Rogers, out with an ankle injury. Guiot said Rogers is better but they didn't want to risk it. He hopes to get Rogers some minutes in Monday night's game against Central Bible College.

"We still have to adjust when Matt's not in," Guiot continued. "We play people when needed and we want them to earn it. The new guys are getting there, but they still need work."

The Bearcats were also playing their first contest since four players were dismissed from the team Thursday due to academic and team rules violations. Thijin Moses, Tim Baines, JT Hatfield and Mayse Walker were removed from the roster. Guiot stated, "Here at SBU, you have take care of your classwork and meet the rules and expectations. We do things the right way and some didn't do that. We have kids that are buying in now. They played well together with team chemistry."

The NAIA Spartans (5-7) jumped out to early 9-1 edge, before the Bearcats would rally in a minute and a half. The teams would stay close before the 'Cats would open a ten-point margin (31-21) at the 6:47 mark. SBU would go to the break leading 47-38.

The Bearcats would score the first 14 points in the second half to push their lead up to 23 points with just under four minutes elapsed. MBU would cut the margin to 68-54 with 11 minutes left, before SBU would break it open again, leading by as much as 33 points late in the second stanza. SBU would shoot 61% from the field (19 of 31) and 69% from three (9 of 13) in the second half to pull away.

SBU finishes their non-conference schedule on Monday night, December 7, when they host Central Bible College at 7 p.m. SBU will be on the road on Wednesday night at Missouri Southern in Joplin, starting at 7:30 p.m.