February 5, 2022 | by Taylor Pill

LEAD

HANCOCK, Mich. -- The Finlandia University Lions wrapped up the double over Maranatha this afternoon, defending their home court in Hancock, Michigan to the tune of 76-50.

Katelyn Morrison reached 500 career points en route to leading Maranatha with 20 on the day. With the loss, the Sabercats fall to 4-12 for the 2021-22 season while the Lions improve to 11-7. 

OVERVIEW

• Result: Maranatha 50-76 Finlandia
• Venue: Paavo Nurmi Center, Finlandia University
• Location: Hancock, Mich.
• Attendance: -
• Records: MBU (4-12), FINU (11-7) 

STORY 

Just a couple of three-pointers from Finlandia seemed to separate the two teams in the first quarter, as they both created good chances and shared possession. Finlandia grabbed a 17-13 lead after the first act and looked eager to hold the upper hand and defend their home court. Katelyn Morrison hit the 500-career-points mark with her very first bucket of the game to start her towards a team-high 20 points on the day.

But the high points would be few and far between from that point on - seven Maranatha turnovers gave Finlandia twice as many shots as the Sabercats in the second quarter, as the Lions pulled out to a 33-23 by halftime.

There was no way back for the Sabercats after halftime, as the Lions won both of the last two quarters by eight points each to put an ever-increasing distance between them and the Sabercats. Callie Morrison reached her usual double-figures mark, but the Lions held the prominent guard to just a dozen on the day.

With the loss behind them, the Sabercats look forward to next week and a couple of NCCAA North Region meetings with Faith and Emmaus. Regionals is just around the corner.

--

Maranatha Starters: 3- C. Morrison, 13- Teachout, 25- K. Morrison, 31- Bosnyak, 32- J. Brown // Finlandia starters: 3- Nagy, 5- Djerf, 12- Jahfetson, 13- Ryynanen, 14- Dalgord

STATS

• Katelyn: 20 PTS, 4 REB, 3 AST, 4 STL
• Katelyn: Reached 500 career points
• Callie: 12 PTS, 8 REB, 3 AST
• Kyria Teachout: 7 PTS, 4 REB
• Last time: Finlandia defeated Maranatha 60-49 on January 22
• Series: Finlandia leads the all-time series 5-1 

OPPONENTS

• Finlandia competes in the Coast-to-Coast Athletic Conference (NCAA DIII)
• Finlandia finished a shortened 2020-21 season with a record of 5-1 to follow up a strong 16-11 record in 2019-20

NEXT

The Sabercats return home on Tuesday to face Faith Baptist at 2:00 p.m. in an NCCAA North Region matchup. Follow at mbusabercats.com/schedule.