THE OVERVIEW

• Result: Maranatha 54-60 Mount Mary
• Venue: MBU Gymnasium
• Attendance: 112
• Record: Sabercats are now 0-1
• Next Game for MBU: Dec. 2 at 3 p.m. at Faith Baptist

THE LEAD

WATERTOWN, Wis. -- The Sabercats began the 2017-18 season on a low note tonight after their fourth-quarter surge came up 6 points shy of Mount Mary University.

Four different Sabercats finished in double-figure points. Karley Johnson led MBU with 13 points and Kelsey Johnson recorded a double-double.

THE STORY

With only 3 full-team practices under their belts, the Sabercats were somewhat rusty both tactically and technically. MBU let the Blue Angels sink 13 unanswered points in the first quarter to go ahead 13-2.

Once that wake-up call was issued, the Sabercats answered with a 12-2 run of their own, which included 6 straight points from Karley Johnson. After the first quarter, it was a 1-point game at 14-15.

Over the next 2 quarters, Mount Mary began to pull away while the Sabercats struggled to finish their chances. On the night, MBU shot 32.4 percent from the field and went just 3-14 from 3-point range. The Blue Angels outscored the Sabercats 21-10 in the third quarter to hold a comfortable 50-34 lead going into the final act.

The Sabercats mounted a charge in the fourth quarter and outscored the Blue Angels 20-10, but the efforts came too late. At the sound of the horn, the Blue Angels had held on to take a 60-54 win back home to Milwaukee.

THE NUMBERS

Joining the Johnson twins in double figures were Alexis Bueltel (11 pts) and Katie Bender (11 pts).

Karley Johnson supplemented her 13 points with 8 rebounds and 3 blocks.

Becky Onan led the charge for the visitors with a 20-point night.

THE OUTLOOK

The Sabercats will travel to Ankeny, Iowa to take on Faith Baptist Bible College. The game will tip off at 3 p.m. Saturday. Follow that game live at mbusabercats.com/composite