DUBUQUE, Iowa --- For the second time this season, the Sabercats clashed with the Eagles of Emmaus Bible College, and reversed their earlier loss to the Eagles by winning 78-76 in overtime thanks in part to a career-best 19 points from Jonathan Book.

The Basics

• Result: Sabercats 78-76 Eagles (OT)
• Venue: Emmaus Bible College
• Attendance: 100
• Sabercats: now 2-6, Eagles, now 3-10

How it Happened

• 1st Half
• Tyree Bearden led the Sabercats in the first half by posting 10 points. Bearden knocked down the first five points on the nights as the Sabercats answered an opening three-pointer from Emmaus with a 10-0 run to take a 10-3 lead.
• A three-pointer from Book just over eight minutes in then extended the Sabercats' lead to 14, which was their largest of the night.
• Throughout the remainder of the first half, the Eagles chipped away at the Sabercats' lead through some precise shooting, and made it a one-possession game going into the locker room. (37-34)
• 2nd Half
• The Eagles quickly gained the lead in the second half as they rode the momentum of 60% shooting from three-point range. Three minutes in, Emmaus was up 45-40.
• Despite the Sabercats' challenge, the Eagles retained the slim lead through the majority of the second half. Every time the Sabercats gained momentum, the Eagles had the answer. The hosts eventually built a nine-point lead - which was their largest of the half - with six minutes on the clock, but a pair of free throws from Micah Shepard helped the start a crucial comeback for MBU. 
• In the final two minutes, Book got the points to tie the game both at 65 and at 67.
• Neither team could make the highlight-worthy game-winner, and the game was tied at 67 after a thrilling 40 minutes of ball.
• Overtime
• The Eagles came out sharply in the five minutes of overtime, building a four-point lead with three minutes left.
• Five key points from Micah Shepard down the stretch tied the game back up at 74, and Shepard gave the Sabercats the 75-74 lead after a three-point play with 26 seconds remaining.
• An Emmaus layup with 16 seconds left restored the lead for the visitors, but - fittingly enough - it was Book who capped off his superlative night and restored the lead for the Sabercats with eight seconds remaining.
• After a foul, Clayton Morrison stepped to the line and sank a free throw to make the lead 78-76, and Emmaus' buzzer-beating attempt was off the mark, sealing the game for the Sabercats.

Extras

• Bearden supplemented Book's performance with 16 points 
• Shepard recorded his sixth game in double figures this season by adding 13 points
• The Sabercats now lead the all-time series 25-5 over the Eagles

From Coach Keith

"I want to really congratulate Coach Jeff Rickert  - he is really doing great things there at Emmaus. He has them playing together well, and they showed that tonight. We were fortunate to get the win tonight. Jonathan Book had a tremendous game, and Tyree Bearden helped us with knocking down some threes. I've got to give our guys a lot of credit, as they battled back and did good work in a back-and-forth overtime – we had a lot of guys contribute to help pull out that win."

Up Next

• The Sabercats will host the Eagles of Faith Bible College on Saturday at 4:00 p.m.
• You can watch the game live via Facebook Live (@MBUSabercats) or at mbusabercats.com/live