THE OVERVIEW

• Result: Maranatha 56-63 Crown
• Venue: MBU Gym
• Attendance: 112
• Record: Sabercats are now 1-3
• Next Game for MBU: Tuesday, Dec. 12 at 7 p.m. at Rockford

THE LEAD

WATERTOWN, Wis. -- The Sabercats saw their final-quarter lead disappear for the second time this week, as they fell by 7 points to the Crown College Storm.

Karley Johnson hit a career-high 19 points and her two sisters hit double digits as well, but the Sabercats ultimately fell prey to an 8-18 Crown run in the final act.

THE STORY

The game started well for Maranatha, as each of the starting 5 put up points to fuel a 9-2 opening run. Crown came back to within 4 points, but a late resurgence from MBU was capped off by a Harmony Bailey layup that extended the lead to 10.

Maranatha shot over 45 percent from the floor in the first quarter. Johnson led all scorers with 7 points as MBU held a 17-7 advantage going into the second quarter.

A 3-point jumper from Kelsey Johnson in the opening minute of the second quarter seemed to herald continued MBU dominance, but Crown had other ideas. The visitors shot an impressive 64 percent from the floor, and Desiree Davis put up 11 points to her name. On the other end, Maranatha connected with just 6 of their 16 attempts.

Riding the momentum of accurate shooting, Crown registered a 22-14 advantage in the second quarter to reduce the lead to 2 points entering halftime. Going into the break, Maranatha led 31-29.

The third quarter was tight from start to finish, and a Davis layup at the 4:27 mark gave the visitors their first lead since the first quarter. The Sabercats persisted, as Karley Johnson's 8-point quarter helped restore the lead to a fragile 3 points entering the final act.

The afternoon ultimately went Crown's way, as a stark contrast in shooting percentage decided the game late on.

Maranatha could only sink 3 of their 11 shots in the final quarter while Crown shot over 50 percent from the floor. Crown went on an 11-4 run through the first five minutes of the final quarter, and they extended the lead from that point on to take home the 7-point win.

THE NUMBERS

Karley Johnson (19 pts), Alexis Bueltel (12 pts), and Kelsey Johnson (11 pts) all hit double digits for MBU.

Davis led all scorers with 32 points. 

Maranatha shot 39 percent from the floor while Crown knocked down 49 percent of their shots.

Crown now holds the 6-5 advantage in the all-time series.

THE OUTLOOK

MBU will travel down to Rockford College Tuesday for a 7 p.m. tip-off. Follow live at mbusabercats.com/composite.