THE OVERVIEW

• Result: Maranatha 85-77 Silver Lake
• Location: Maranatha Baptist University
• Attendance: 237
• Record: Sabercats are now 10-10
• Next Game for MBU: Tuesday, Feb. 6 at 6 p.m. at Lincoln Christian

THE LEAD

WATERTOWN, Wis. -- Micah Shepard and the Sabercats got back on the winning track in style tonight, as Shepard reached 1,000 points in a thrilling win over Silver Lake.

The senior out of Little Rock, Arkansas joins an elite list of just 19 players in program history to reach this milestone, including coaches Jeff and Joel Borchardt. 

THE STORY

The game was tightly-contested from start to finish, as the lead changed hands like a hot potato.

Silver Lake came out of the gate with a point to prove. Riding the momentum of some accurate shooting from downtown, the Lakers basically doubled the Sabercats' score through the opening minutes of the first half.

The Sabercats tried to stay with the Lakers, and their determination paid off in the late minutes of the first half. A well-balanced Sabercats' offense strung a 10-2 run together to get right back into the game. A pair of free throws from Jonathan Book tied the game with just over a minute left in the half. Silver Lake came back to hold the 2-point lead at the break, but the Sabercats had clawed their way back.

A David Lerma layup gave the Sabercats their first lead of the game just over 2 minutes into the second half. The basket from the junior signaled a number of lead changes over the next 5 minutes, as neither team established clear command of the game.

Shepard's big moment came with 9 minutes left in the second half, when he found himself wide open in the corner, right in front of the Sabercats bench. As he has done time after time in his career, Shepard effortlessly connected his 3-point jumper to reach the coveted mark of 1,000 career points.

The milestone moment was a part of a 20-point night from Shepard. 

From then on, the Sabercats held the lead until the horn sounded. It wasn't without a scare from the Lakers, who came within 3 points a few different times down the stretch.

THE NUMBERS

Lerma led the Sabercats with 23 points while Justin Blake, Matt Gill, and Jonathan Book all recorded 10 points.

Shepard, Lerma, and the Sabercats shot 45 percent from 3-point range. That was their best mark in 2 weeks.

SLC's Dreshawn Dorsey led the visitors with 16 points.

The Sabercats now lead the all-time series, 4-3.

THE SOUND BITE

"Silver Lake has a good team, and they came ready to play today. They're going to be tough in years to come," said Coach Keith Salscheider after the game. "It was nice to have our guys come together at the right time and stick to the game plan. When we do that, we're going to be good. Congratulations to Shep on his 1,000 points - it's a testament to his hard work and ability, and it's a testament to the guys he's played with. We are excited for him, and we are excited for where we are headed."

THE CALENDAR

The Sabercats will travel to Lincoln Christian University on Tuesday for a 6 p.m. tip. The all-time series stands at 25-12 in favor of the Sabercats.

Catch the details at mbusabercats.com/composite.