Three Wildcats scored in double figures as Jaris Wommack scored a team-high 17 points, Austin Bond added 15 and Andre Strozier chipped in with 14.
“We played as good I’ve seen defensively all year in the first half, we just didn’t come out with the same intensity in the second half,” said head coach Brett Ballard.
Baker took a 29-18 lead heading into the break, but Missouri Valley outscored the Wildcats 43-27 in the second half.
“I think if we have a call or two go our way late, things might have been a little different,” Ballard added. “At the end of the day it is my fault for not getting the guys ready to play as hard in the second half, but we’ve gotta regroup for Thursday against MidAmerica Nazarene at home.”
Baker will return to Baldwin City on Thursday for a 7 p.m., tip-off.
