WATERTOWN, Wis. --- The Sabercats reclaimed their title of NCCAA Regional Champions after 40 minutes of intense action against the #1-seeded Trinity Bible College Lions, winning 58-53 to punch their ticket to the 2017 NCCAA DII National Tournament.

Hanna Glaze (18 pts), Alexis Johnson (15 pts), and Kelsey Johnson (13 pts) all recorded double-figure points on the day as the Sabercats won their 10th regional title in the last 11 years.

It was a fast opening, as the two teams had harbored championship energy coming into the game. The teams traded buckets early on, and the Lions weathered the high press that the Sabercats attempted, staying close to MBU through the handiwork of the Regional MVP Jaylen Newman.

Katie Bender and Hanna Glaze had an answer, as the duo knocked down some deep shots early on, setting the stage for a tightly-contested title game.

The points came fast and furious at the start but receded towards the end of the first quarter. For MBU's last possession, Kelsey Johnson put the Sabercats ahead by one point with a medium-range jumper with less than five seconds on the clock. Trinity's desperation heave came up short, and MBU had the lead in the title game going into the second quarter. (15-14)

Kelsey Johnson had the breakthrough in the second quarter with a three-point play at the 8:30 mark. After an even exchange through the next four minutes, the Sabercats were rewarded for their press when two steals led to two quick buckets from Amanda Rodriguez and Emilee Hansel, putting MBU ahead 24-18.

The Sabercats were effective in forcing shots from the Lions, as TBC shot just 24.1 percent in the first half.

Late jumpers from Harmony Bailey and Alexis Johnson pushed the Sabercats out to 28 points, but an unusual exchange beneath the rim led to a technical foul called on the Sabercats, sending Newman to the line. Newman promptly knocked down four shots.

MBU responded positively, and Glaze converted a three-point shot to give MBU a five-point lead heading into halftime. (31-26)

The Sabercats took a while to get things going, then Hanna Glaze entered the scene with five points in under 10 seconds. After a smooth triple, Glaze snagged a loose pass and had a clear path to the rim to lay it in, bring the crowd to its feet, and put MBU up 38-30.

Glaze's single-handed heroics was followed by a cagey finish to the third quarter, and the score stood with a nine-point MBU lead going into the fourth. (44-35)

Kelsey Johnson jump-started the fourth with a steal and a bucket on the Lions' opening possession, but TBC responded well by grabbing nine unanswered points to make it a one-possession game. 

The Lions looked dangerous, and with the title on the line, the finish was nerve-wracking. Both teams had trouble finishing their chances, and the Sabercats showed spirited defense to come up with key rebounds and steals to keep the Lions at bay.

The game stayed a two-point one until Kelsey Johnson drew a foul, stepped to the line, and drained two free throws with less than two minutes on the clock to put MBU ahead 53-49.

The Sabercats proved their worth down the stretch and made plays at the right times to close the championship out. Rodriguez hit a key layup with 1:02 on the clock to extend the Sabercats' lead to six points, but the Lions persisted when Rachel Church's four unanswered points made it a one-possession game once again with less than 45 seconds on the clock.

The game would be won at the line for MBU, and Hanna Glaze showed veteran aplomb by converting three of four free throws to seal the title late on for MBU. Glaze's fourth was off the mark, and Alexis Johnson grabbed the rebound and quickly made a pass to relieve pressure and to allow MBU to run out the 10 seconds that remained.

With the win, MBU moves to 15-11 on the year, including an 8-1 record against NCCAA DII opposition.

The Sabercats will await their seed at the NCCAA DII National Tournament held March 9-11 at Faith Baptist Bible College in Ankeny, Iowa.

For more information on the NCCAA DII National Tournament, click here.