THE OVERVIEW

• Result: Maranatha 54-57 Rockford
• Venue: Seaver Center, Rockford University
• Attendance: 112
• Record: Sabercats are now 1-4
• Next Game for MBU: Thursday, Dec. 14 at 7 p.m. at Alverno

THE LEAD

ROCKFORD, Ill. -- In a similar story to last Saturday night, the Sabercats were up and down in a narrow loss.

After 4 quarters of tradeoff play, the Sabercats fell 54-57 to Rockford University to move to 1-4 on the season. Alexis Bueltel led the Sabercats with 16 points.

THE STORY

Emma Cochran got things started the right way with a couple of 3-point jumpers in the opening minutes. Cochran's 6-point quarter helped Maranatha out to an 18-11 lead after the opening act.

Any offensive momentum the Sabercats had going into the second quarter was quickly halted. MBU failed to connect a shot from the floor in the entire quarter, as they had to settle for just 5 points from the line during a sub-par 10 minutes.

On the other end of the floor, Rockford put up 14 points to take a 25-23 lead going into the break.

The Sabercats apparently needed the halftime team talk. After the slow second quarter, the Sabercats responded positively to start the second half, shooting 50 percent from the floor and putting 20 points up in the third quarter. Bueltel led the charge by going 5-8 from the field, and Kelsey Johnson added 6 points, 6 rebounds, and 2 blocks to try to restart the system for MBU.

After the third quarter, the Sabercats had restored the lead to 8 points, as they entered the final act with a 43-35 lead.

As it turned out, the Sabercats saw another game slip away in the final quarter. MBU struggled through 11 turnovers in the final act and only got 7 shots off. Eager for their first win of the season, the hard-charging Regents recorded 22 points to the Sabercats' 11, as the hosts took control of the game in the final 3 minutes to take home the win.

THE NUMBERS

Bueltel led Maranatha with 16 points while Nicole Silvers led the Regents with 15.

The teams were evenly matched in field-goal percentage, rebounding, and turnovers.

Rockford now holds the 10-4 advantage in the all-time series.

THE OUTLOOK

MBU will travel to Alverno College Thursday for a 7 p.m. tip-off. This game will conclude the opening semester of competition for the Sabercats. Follow live at mbusabercats.com/composite.