The men’s basketball team was out for revenge against Culver-Stockton College on Valentine’s Day in Collins Center.
After a heartbreaker Jan. 10 in Canton, Mo., which ended in favor of Culver-Stockton, Baker showed no love for Culver-Stockton Saturday, winning 84-73.
Senior Justin Houser said the Wildcats didn’t let Culver-Stockton beat them in the second half like they had before.
“We didn’t let them get the easy finishes in the second half,” Houser said. “We didn’t let their streaky three-point shooters set fire.”
Culver-Stockton did anything but set fire, shooting only 20 percent from behind the arc.
Senior Heath Baird said the team focused on its key players on defense.
“They didn’t have a big presence inside, so we tried to focus on the two guys on the perimeter,” he said.
Leading the Wildcats to snap their three-game losing streak, juniors Brock Entner and Malcolm Greer recorded 17 points each.
Baird went 50 percent from behind the three-point line and dropped 16 points.
Senior Nick Iversen said the Wildcats’ inside players worked hard for more opportunities at the basket.
“Our bigs did a great job crashing the board and getting extra possessions,” he said.
The team recorded only four turnovers, a big turn around from the 16 the team had in the first matchup.
“We took our time offensively,” he said. “We let the offense come to us in this game more than any game this year.”
Houser put 12 points on the scoreboard and snagged seven rebounds, while big man Bret Shaw added 13 and five boards.
The Wildcats had another close matchup Feb. 12 against Avila University.
The team was unable to pull out the victory down the stretch and lost 69-64.
Entner led the team with 21 points and three assists, while Shaw grabbed 10 boards and added 10 points.
Iversen said the addition of Houser, Greer and Entner this season has added a lot of dimension to the team.
“With Malcolm being able to play the three-four spot, Brock being a true point guard and Houser being a beast inside, that’s something I don’t think Baker has had for a few years,” Iversen said.
Heading into the last three games of regular season, Houser said the team must win at least two to secure a place in the playoffs.
The Wildcats played William Jewell College Thursday. Results were unavailable at presstime.