February 1, 2022 | by Taylor Pill

LEAD

WATERTOWN, Wis. -- The Sabercats had their hands full against the top team in the NCCAA DII tonight, falling 47-84 at home to North Region rivals, North Central University.

Callie Morrison led Maranatha with 47-84 points, marking her eighth game in her last nine where she has passed the 20-points mark.

OVERVIEW

• Result: Maranatha 47-84 No. 1 North Central
• Venue: Main Gymnasium, Maranatha Baptist University
• Event: NCCAA North Region Regular Season
• Location: Watertown, Wis.
• Attendance: 98
• Records: MBU (4-11), NCU (15-3)

STORY 

North Central showed why they hold the top ranking in the NCCAA DII, as they overwhelmed the Sabercats in the first two quarters. The Rams pressed and it paid off, as the Sabercats were forced into committing 18 turnovers.

At the other end of the court, North Central shot at a clip of 51 percent, creating simple looks to take a 46-21 lead into the halftime break.

Callie and the Sabercats put together their best quarter of the night in the third, scoring 17 points to the Rams' 22, but an NCU win was inevitable at that point. Callie broke the 20-points mark in the third quarter and finished with 24 and Katelyn Morrison finished the night with 15 points, as the duo of Morrisons handled the lion's share of the scoring on the night for Maranatha.

North Central shared the scoring load at the other end, as five Rams broke double figures on the night. Kadija Conteh led North Central with 16 points.

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Maranatha Starters: 3- C. Morrison, 13- Teachout, 20- Rogers, 25- K. Morrison, 32- J. Brown // North Central starters: 1- Conteh, 3- Talso, 20- Hagstrom, 25- Robinson, 40- Vanderploeg

STATS

• Callie: 24 PTS, 5 REB, 2 AST, 6 STL
• Katelyn: 15 PTS, 6 REB, 3 STL
• Sarah Rogers: 2 PTS, 8 REB
• MBU: 27.0 FG%
• NCU: 53.1 FG%
• Last time: North Central defeated Maranatha 84-34 on December 3
• Series: North Central leads the all-time series 12-8 

OPPONENTS

• North Central competes in the Upper Midwest Athletic Conference (NCAA DIII)
• North Central rejoined the NCCAA DII North Region
• North Central is following up their 18-4 2020-21 season with a 15-3 record so far this season

NEXT

The Sabercats head to Hancock, Michigan on Friday to take on Finlandia at 2:00 p.m. Follow at mbusabercats.com/schedule.