A determined Saints lineup used a 15-2 run to start the second half as Central Christian College of the Bible defeated Emmaus Bible College, 97-75, on Saturday in the Ferneau Center.

Central Christian (8-11) ended a four-game losing skid in what was the first of four straight home games. Although the game was a matchup of two Midwest Christian College Conference foes, it did not count toward the conference standings. The Eagles (0-19) will host the Saints on Feb. 9 for the conference tilt.

Jaime Rodriguez scored 20 points to lead five Saints in double figures. Trey Black was an efficient 7-for-9 from the field, including 4-for-5 from 3-point range, as he scored 18 points and grabbed 10 rebounds.

Caleif Gregg scored 14 points, Josh Crawford added 12 points and Gabriel Martinez had 11 to round out the scoring for the Saints. Rodrigo Nunez led Central Christian with 11 rebounds.

The Saints led 17-8 just four minutes into the contest, but Emmaus Bible answered with a 15-6 run to tie things up midway through the first half. The two teams finished out the half trading leads, and the Eagles scored with a second remaining to take a 42-41 advantage into the locker room.

Emmaus Bible got as close as three in the second half, but the Saints responded again to push the margin back up to 15 over the ensuing five minutes. The Saints shot 57 percent in the second half while holding the Eagles to 36 percent.

Overall, Central Christian shot 51 percent from the field and 46 percent (13-for-28) from 3-point range. They outrebounded the guests, 52-42, and recorded 25 assists to their 13 turnovers.

Emmaus Bible shot 40 percent for the game and 26 percent (5-for-19) from behind the arc. The Eagles committed 18 turnovers.

The Saints are at home again on Tuesday when they host Calvary University in an MCCC matchup at 7 p.m.

Much like their start nearly a week earlier, the Saints put together another one of their best halves of the basketball season.

The CCCB men used a 45-17 run in the final 13 minutes of the first half on their way to a 94-87 road win over Ozark Christian College on Thursday.

Central Christian (7-7) jumped out to an early 10-5 lead, but allowed Ozark Christian (4-10) to take a 14-12 lead with 14 minutes remaining in the first half. The Saints responded with a 28-point swing, despite going just 3-for-14 from behind the arc and not attempting a free throw, to make it a 56-31 advantage at halftime.

The Saints led by as many as 29 after hitting a 3-pointer to start the second half, but Ozark Christian chipped away at the deficit until the finish. A slew of turnovers in the final two minutes made it a single-digit game just before the buzzer.

Led by Josh Crawford's double-double of 18 points, 16 rebounds and five assists, Central Christian had five players reach double figures. Kedron Rollings also scored 18 points, followed by Trey Black and Caleif Gregg scoring 16 points each. Rodrigo Nunez tossed in 10 points and grabbed 12 rebounds.

Ozark Christian was led by Miles Dressler with 29 points and 12 rebounds. Bryce Money scored 21 points, Tanner Moore added 16 and Nick Sarin had 10.

The Saints shot 59 percent in the first half and just 37 percent after the break for a balance of 51 percent for the game. They went 7-for-27 (26 percent) from behind the arc for the game, and went 13-for-19, all in the second half, at the free throw line.

Ozark Christian shot 42 percent from the field, 24 percent from 3-point range, and 71 percent from the charity stripe. Central Christian outrebounded the hosts, 45-44.

Although the game was between two Midwest Christian College Conference members, it did not count as a conference game in the standings. The conference bout takes place on Feb. 2 in Moberly.

The Saints are at home on Monday when they host NAIA opponent Lincoln Christian University at 7 p.m. Lincoln Christian won the first meeting between the two teams, 99-74, on Dec. 4 in Lincoln, Ill.