BATESVILLE, Ark. - Israel Palmer scored 27 points for the Lyon College Scots in a 89-67 American Midwest Conference loss at home to the Missouri Baptist Spartans on Saturday afternoon.

Palmer made 8-of-17 shots, made one three-pointer and was 10-of-13 at the free throw line for the Scots (6-10, 2-7). Sando Hill had 11 points and 10 rebounds for a double-double, Nikola SaSaroga scored 11 points and had nine rebounds and John Paul Morgan scored 10 points and seven rebounds. 

The Spartans defensively concentrated on the Scots leading scorer Trenton Bell for the entire game. Bell finished with six points.

Morgan scored two baskets and Palmer put in one for a 6-2 Scots lead early in the first half. Hill hit two free throws and SaSaroga hit a short bank shot, but MBU came back to take a 15-10 lead. Seconds later, after two Palmer free throws, Hill hit a three-pointer to tie the game. SaSaroga scored inside to tie the game at 17-17 and Hill scored again for a 19-19 tie. A minute later, Morgan put the Scots in front 24-23. The Spartans scored five straight points and built their lead to eight points before Morgan made two free throws. MBU added the next five points to lead 42-30 at halftime.

The Spartans scored the first five points of the second half to lead by 17 points, but Palmer made two free throws and put in a layup off a Morgan steal. MBU led by 21 points with 15:20 to go before Palmer completed a three-point play and Hill made a free throw. Palmer made two more free throws and Hill connected on a three-pointer to make it 57-43. Palmer made a three-pointer and a basket to get the Scots within 11 points, but MBU pushed its lead back 15 on two possessions. Palmer and SaSaroga scored to make it a 10-point game with 8:13 to play, 63-53. Morgan made two free throws, SaSaroga dunked, Bell scored and Palmer hit a jumper, but the Scots still trailed by 12 points with 5:21 to go.
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