Slow Start Stymies Sabercats

THE OVERVIEW

• Result: Maranatha 59-81 Bethany Lutheran
• Venue: Maranatha Baptist University
• Attendance: 85
• Record: Sabercats are now 3-6
• Next Game for MBU: Thursday, Jan. 18 at 4 p.m. vs Lincoln Christian

THE LEAD

WATERTOWN, Wis. -- If you eliminated the first quarter, the Sabercats were right in it. But a slow start cost them in a home loss to Bethany Lutheran this afternoon.

The Sabercats saw their 2-game win streak snapped at home to the Vikings, who continued their impressive season to move to 12-4 on the year. Alexis Bueltel led the Sabercats with 22 points on the day.

THE STORY

The Sabercats struggled to get any momentum going in the first quarter, as they allowed 26 points while hitting just 3 shots from the floor. On the flipside, the Vikings shot an impressive 64.7 percent in the first 10 minutes and capped off the run with a buzzer-beater to extend the lead to 20 points (6-26).

From then on, it was a 2-point game. The slow start proved to be the difference-maker in the end. The Sabercats came right back to win the second quarter, as they were patient with their chances and went 8-13 from the field. Bueltel did her part to turn the ship around, as she logged 10 points in the second quarter alone.

Going into the break, the Sabercats trailed by a score of 25-44.

The second half yielded the same story to the second quarter, as the Sabercats kept the game close in both isolated quarters. Bueltel and her sister, Kelsey Johnson, put up 10 points each in the second half, but that first-quarter deficit was too much to overcome for MBU.

At the sound of the horn, the Vikings secured their sixth away win of the season.

THE NUMBERS

Bueltel finished with 22 points, 9 rebounds, 3 assists, and 3 steals. 

Johnson contributed 15 points of her own.

The Vikings had 3 players in double figures.

This was just the second meeting between the teams. Bethany Lutheran has won both fixtures.

THE OUTLOOK

The Sabercats will be back on their home floor Thursday for a 4 p.m. tipoff vs Lincoln Christian. Follow live at mbusabercats.com/composite.