THE OVERVIEW

• Result: Maranatha 98-65 Emmaus Bible
• Location: Maranatha Baptist University
• Attendance: 272
• Record: Sabercats are now 9-6
• Next Game for MBU: Thursday, Jan. 23 at 7 p.m. at Illinois Tech

THE LEAD

WATERTOWN, Wis. -- The Sabercats were flying tonight, as they were one bucket away from the century mark in another NCCAA regional win.

Maranatha bested Emmaus Bible College for the second time this season, winning 98-65 in front of a spirited MBU home crowd. MBU had 5 different players with double-digit points.

THE STORY

Everyone was hitting their shots early in the game, as the teams combined for over 30 points in the first 4 minutes. Emmaus showed that they were there to win, as they held a determined 2-point lead at the 8-minute mark.

Then it was all about MBU.

A 16-1 run over the next 6 minutes - capped off by consecutive 3-point jumpers from Micah Shepard - shifted the momentum squarely in favor of the Blue and Gold. With the crowd behind them, Maranatha had a 15-point lead and Shepard had 16 points to his name. This came after a high-strung and competitive first half that held 11 lead changes.

The second half was a matter of executing, as the Sabercats once again shot over 50 percent en route to a stress-free win.

Noteworthy second-half performances came from RJ Medina and Stephen Wilkerson, who registered 10 points each to keep the momentum going.

The second half saw the Sabercats increase the lead until the end - a far cry from the back-and-forth first half. At the sound of the horn, the Sabercats secured their 6th NCCAA regional win of the season, staying perfect in NCCAA DII play.

THE NUMBERS

Shepard, Medina, Wilkerson, Justin Blake, and Bryce Cashner all finished the game with 10 points or more.

MBU shot 54.4 percent from the field - that's their 7th game this season above 50 percent. 

MBU matched their season-high mark in assists with 27, and set their second-best rebounding mark this season with 55.

With the win, the Sabercats now lead the all-time series at 27-4.

THE CALENDAR

The Sabercats will travel to Chicago Thursday for a 7 p.m. tip-off against Illinois Tech. Catch the details at mbusabercats.com/composite.