December 14, 2021 | by Taylor Pill

LEAD

WATERTOWN, Wis. -- The Sabercats just couldn't find their range on the home floor tonight, as their comeback faded away to a 65-48 win for Welch College.

Callie Morrison led Maranatha with 20 points, but numerous offensive rebounds and hot shooting when it mattered most won it for the Flames, as Maranatha enters a three-week stretch without a game.

OVERVIEW

• Result: Maranatha 48-65 Welch
• Venue: Main Gym, Maranatha Baptist University
• Location: Watertown, Wis.
• Attendance: 87
• Records: MBU (3-4), WC (2-6) 

STORY

The Sabercats took a while to warm up their shooting, and Welch took advantage. The Flames seemed to be everywhere, picking up numerous offensive boards en route to leading Maranatha 21-8 after the first quarter. 

The Sabercats responded by winning the second quarter 16-14, which started to turn the momentum where they wanted it to go. Callie Morrison had eight points going into the break and Katelyn Morrison had seven.

A Sarah Rogers layup made it a seven-point game early on in the third quarter, but that was as close as the Sabercats could come in the period. A late free throw from Katelyn Morrison made it a 10-point game going into the fourth, and the Sabercats had to get something going.

Right at crunch time, the Sabercats just couldn't put the pieces together, struggling to keep a shooting rhythm and possession. Welch started heating up from downtown and extended the lead to 20 points inside the final five minutes. As the Sabercats forced the issue to turn the game around, Welch weathered the storm, found their range, and closed out a big NCCAA win on the Sabercats' home floor.

--

Maranatha Starters: 3- C. Morrison, 13- Teachout, 20- Rogers, 25- K. Morrison, 30- L. Brown // Welch starters: 3- Bragg, 12- Bowman, 22- Carnes, 24- Wall, 33- Brown

STATS

• Callie: 20 PTS, 12 REB, 6 AST
• Katelyn: 12 PTS, 9 REB, 2 AST
• Rogers: 6 PTS, 3 REB
• Welch: 21 OFF. REB
• Last time: This was the first-ever matchup between Maranatha and Welch
• Series: Welch now leads the all-time series 1-0

OPPONENTS

• Welch competes in the Mideast region of the NCCAA DII
• Welch posted NCCAA wins this season over Johnson Tennessee and Bob Jones
• Welch entered tonight on a four-game losing streak

NEXT

The Sabercats will return from Christmas break by visiting Crown (Minn.) on January 7 at 3:00 p.m. Follow at mbusabercats.com/schedule.