Preview: Central Baptist Mustangs at UHSP Men’s Basketball

ST. LOUIS (Interstat) — Two NAIA men’s basketball teams seeking to halt extended slides will meet Thursday when the Central Baptist Mustangs visit UHSP.

The game, scheduled for Jan. 29, 2026, pits teams with a combined 5-29 record this season. Central Baptist enters at 4-13, while UHSP sits at 1-16. Both squads are mired in losing streaks, with the Mustangs having dropped three straight and UHSP losing its last six contests.

Central Baptist won the previous meeting this season, 71-58 at home on Dec. 13. The Mustangs will look to guard MacArthur Reed, Jr., who is averaging 8.8 points and 3.2 assists per game, to lead the effort again. Reed is coming off a season-high 17 points and six assists in a narrow 80-79 loss to Williams Baptist on Jan. 21.

UHSP will counter with forward Brennen Walker, who is averaging 9.5 points and 6.8 rebounds per game. Walker posted a dominant 25-point, 13-rebound performance in UHSP’s most recent game, a 103-99 loss to Harris-Stowe on Jan. 22. Teammate Jasmin Suvalija added 31 points in that defeat.

Recent results highlight both teams’ struggles to close out games. Central Baptist’s last three losses have come by an average of 5.3 points, including a one-point defeat to Williams Baptist. UHSP has faced similar frustration, with its Jan. 22 loss marking the third time this season it has scored 99 or more points but still lost.

Defense has been a persistent issue. UHSP has allowed an average of 108.3 points during its six-game skid. Central Baptist has been held under 60 points in two of its last four games, contributing to its downturn.

Following this matchup, Central Baptist will travel to face Harris-Stowe (Mo.) on Jan. 31. UHSP will hit the road for a game at Mission (Mo.) on the same date.

Tip-off is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. Central at UHSP Gymnasium.