THE OVERVIEW

• Result: Maranatha 41-53 Alverno
• Venue: Reiman Gymnasium, Alverno College
• Attendance: 112
• Record: Sabercats are now 1-5
• Next Game for MBU: Thursday, Jan. 4 at 6 p.m. at North Central

THE LEAD

MILWAUKEE -- The Sabercats' first-semester struggles continued in Milwaukee tonight, as they lost by a dozen points to Alverno College in a tale of 2 halves.

A sluggish start cost the Sabercats in the end, as a 29-14 halftime deficit proved to be too much to overcome. Kelsey Johnson led the Sabercats with 18 points and 10 rebounds in the game.

THE STORY

There seemed to be a lid on the rim for the Sabercats in the first half, as they sunk just 7 of their 32 shots while going 0 for 9 from downtown in the first 2 quarters combined.

Emma Cochran tried to lead the charge of putting points on the board in the first half for MBU, as she hit 3 jumpers from inside the arc. But Cochran and the Sabercats were mostly stymied by a hard-working Alverno defense.

The Inferno kept plugging away at the other end, as they put up 15 and 14 points, respectively, through the opening 2 quarters.

Going into the locker room, the Sabercats trailed 14-29.

Maranatha matched their first-half tally of 14 points in the third quarter alone. Johnson contributed 6 points in the 10-minute stretch while Alexis Bueltel put up a 4-point effort, but that third-act showing was the best Maranatha could do tonight, as the Inferno stayed out of reach throughout the second half. Throughout the 40 minutes, MBU shot 0-14 from beyond the arc. Despite the off-kilter shooting from downtown, the Sabercats outscored the Inferno in the final 2 quarters.

But despite the upbeat finish, the Sabercats' slow start proved to be the difference in the end, as they ended the first semester of play with their fourth consecutive loss.

THE NUMBERS

Johnson led MBU with 18 points and 10 rebounds. The Sophomore pitched in 4 steals, 3 assists, and 2 blocks for good measure.

Bueltel pitched in 8 points and 7 rebounds.

Harmony Bailey (4 points) was the only player to log points coming off the bench.

Alverno's Karly Selear led all scorers with 20 points.

This was the first meeting of the two teams since 2013-14. The Inferno now holds the 12-10 advantage in the all-time series.

THE OUTLOOK

The Sabercats will take a couple of weeks off for Christmas break before traveling north the Twin Cities to take on North Central University. Tipoff is set for Thursday, Jan. 4 at 6 p.m. Central. Follow live at mbusabercats.com/composite.