THE OVERVIEW

• Result: Maranatha 66-68 Silver Lake
• Venue: Maranatha Baptist University
• Attendance: 109
• Record: Sabercats are now 6-11
• Next Game for MBU: Tuesday, Feb. 6 at 4 p.m. vs Lincoln Christian

THE LEAD

WATERTOWN, Wis. -- The Sabercats had their way in everything but the third quarter tonight, and that proved to be a difference-maker in the end.

MBU almost rallied from an 11-point deficit in the final three minutes, but Silver Lake College held off a late charge from MBU to secure the win. Alexis Bueltel led the Sabercats with 23 points.

THE STORY

Bueltel's 4 steals in the first quarter gave the Sabercats their fair share of the ball. MBU had 8 more shots than Silver Lake in the first quarter and took a 16-10 lead after the opening 10 minutes. 

The second quarter was a representation of the game as a whole, as it finished as a 1-possession stretch. Bueltel finished the first half with 13 points and Kelsey Johnson registered 6.

Going into the halftime, the Sabercats led 31-24.

The third quarter turned out to be a crucial turning point for the Lakers, who were altogether sharper on the offensive end. The Lakers concocted a 12-1 run in the opening few minutes to put themselves right back in it. Silver Lake eventually went 8-16 from the floor and 5-5 from the line to record 24 points in the quarter. After 10 minutes of one-way traffic, the Lakers held an 8-point lead as the Sabercats couldn't get their shots to fall.

In the fourth, the Sabercats once again were the better team, but the terminal damage had been done. MBU registered a game-high 26 points as a team in the fourth quarter, and Katie Bender pitched in 8 points singlehandedly. But despite the late charge from MBU, the Lakers held on for the 2-point win. The win didn't come without a scare, as the Sabercats almost rallied from an 11-point deficit in the last 3 minutes of the game.

THE NUMBERS

This was Bueltel's fourth game with 20 or more points this season.

Johnson registered 12 points on the night - she has now had 14 straight games in double figures.

SLC's Danelle Buck led the visitors with 20 points.

The 66-point mark was the highest mark that the Sabercats have had in a loss this season.

The Sabercats have now amassed over 1,000 points on the year.

THE OUTLOOK

The Sabercats will travel to Lincoln Christian University for a 4 p.m. tip-off Tuesday afternoon. MBU holds a 27-9 advantage in the series that dates back to 1986.

Follow live at mbusabercats.com/composite.