THE OVERVIEW

• Result: Maranatha 70-81 Cornell
• Venue: MBU Gymnasium
• Attendance: 323
• Record: Sabercats are now 0-1
• Next Game for MBU: Nov. 28 at 7 p.m. vs Dayspring Bible

THE LEAD

WATERTOWN, Wis. -- The Sabercats won the second half tonight, but it was not enough to top Cornell College in the season opener.

Jonathan Book led the Sabercats with 16 points. Bryce Cashner and David Lerma each added 13 points for MBU but the Rams took the night to the tune of 81-70.

THE STORY

The two teams traded buckets evenly in the opening minutes. Book and Cashner tried to start the offensive momentum but Cornell began to pull away as the first half matured.

The Rams doubled the Sabercats up at 16-8 midway through the first half and would continue to pull away in the remaining minutes.

At the half, MBU trailed by a score of 29-43.

The second half saw MBU outscore Cornell, 41-38, but the late efforts weren't enough to take the day, as the Rams ultimately spoiled the Sabercats' home opener.

Lerma led the way in the second half with a 9-point effort. Justin Blake tried to get the Sabercats and the crowd back into the game with a couple of late slams, but the Rams remained calm and held the lead to the end. Even though it had dwindled to 11 points under the Sabercats' pressure.

THE NUMBERS

Turnovers were a part of the story for MBU. The Sabercats coughed it up 19 times in the game.

Book (16), Cashner (13), Lerma (13), and Micah Shepard (10) all registered 10 points or more.

Cornell's Corey Davis tallied 21 points to lead the visitors.

MBU shot 38.8 percent from the field.

THE CALENDAR

The Sabercats will host Dayspring Bible College upon returning from Thanksgiving break. Tip-off for that game is scheduled for 7 p.m. on Nov. 28. Catch the details at mbusabercats.com/composite.