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THE OFFICIAL WEBSITE OF THE MARANATHA BAPTIST UNIVERSITY SABERCATS

Photo credit: Kaitlyn Dobson
Photo credit: Kaitlyn Dobson

Storm Shelter

WATERTOWN, Wis. -- The Sabercats made it three wins in a row today, as they called the shots against the Crown College Storm.

Kelsey Johnson had 19 points, and the Sabercats cruised to a stress-free 15-point win on Parents' Day.

  • Result: Maranatha 61-46 Crown
  • Venue: MBU Gymnasium
  • Location: Watertown, Wis.
  • Attendance: 174
  • Records: MBU (5-5), CC (3-14)

The Sabercats were not playing their best basketball in the opening minutes, but neither were the Storm. Both teams struggled to establish a rhythm, fighting turnovers and missed chances in the opening act. That translated into a tight scoreline throughout the first quarter, and a layup from Jacklyn Simpson gave the Sabercats a 13-12 edge. They would hold that lead, finishing the first quarter in front 19-15.

A three-pointer from Rosa Torres jump-started the second quarter, and the Sabercats increased their edge, leading by as much as 12 in the quarter. MBU kept the advantage, and with just seconds on the clock, a contested three-pointer from Karley Johnson sent the Sabercats into the second half on a high note. The junior's connection sent MBU into the break with a 34-24 lead.

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Kelsey Johnson followed suit by draining a snap three with just over 6:00 on the clock in the third. That shot put the Sabercats ahead by 15, and the junior had a crafty drive that extended the lead to 20. The Sabercats were in total control, as their tight defense caused Crown to force the issue. By the end of the third quarter, the Sabercats had limited Crown to eight points, taking a 50-32 lead into the final act.

The final 10 minutes were a simple matter of managing the game and the clock, and the Sabercats did both. It was a low-scoring fourth, as the Sabercats were in no hurry to get their shots off. Crown was the better team within the fourth quarter, but the Sabercats ultimately closed out the game with little resistance, winning by a 15-point margin.

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MBU Starters: 3-Morrison, 5-Luttrull, 12-Johnson, 13-Johnson, 32-Simpson // CC Starters: 2-De La Ossa, 10-Thompson, 22-Gibson, 24-Honeck, 33-Roberts

  • Kelsey: 19 points, 7 rebounds
  • Callie Morrison13 points and a career-high-tying 7 assists
  • MBU: season-second-best 44.4 percent field-goal shooting
  • Last year: Crown won 63-56 in Watertown
  • Series: MBU now leads the series 7-6

  • Crown competes in the UMAC, ranking 8th of 9
  • CC has topped two NCCAA North Region teams this season, beating Trinity Bible and Faith Baptist
  • The Storm finished with a 10-15 record last season
  • Crown just snapped a 9-game losing streak with a 69-51 win over Martin Luther

The Sabercats will travel to Emmaus Bible on Tuesday for a 5:00 p.m. NCCAA North Region clash. Follow at mbusabercats.com/composite.