LEAD

WATERTOWN, Wis. -- It took grit, teamwork, and a comeback, but the Sabercats ran away with a hard-fought 81-70 win over Oak Hills tonight in NCCAA North Region play.

Taylor Ball backed up his 30-point game at Marian with 27 tonight to lift the Sabercats above .500 for the season and 4-1 in the North Region.

OVERVIEW

• Result: Maranatha 81-70 Oak Hills 
• Venue: Main Gymnasium, Maranatha Baptist University
• Location: Watertown, Wis.
• Attendance: 201
• Records: MBU (5-4), OHCC (6-11)

STORY

The Wolfpack looked like a revitalized team after a difficult season last year, jumping out to a 20-10 lead 10 minutes in. Cue: Caleb Moultrie, who hit two shots from distance to fuel a 10-0 run to tie it up, but the Wolfpack regained momentum to take a 34-33 lead into halftime. Even though Ball had 13 points and the Sabercats were close at hand.

Once the second half hit, the Sabercats were red hot.

By the end of the half, they shot over 60 percent and 50 percent from downtown. Ball put up another 14, Aaron Sanders' determination gave him 12 points, and Malachi Herbster added eight to notch a career-high 10 points on the night. The Sabercats were gritty on defense, quick and sharp on the ball, and they grinded it out over their North Region neighbors for the 81-70 win.

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Maranatha Starters: 2- T. Ball, 3- Mayhak, 4- Steuerwald, 5- Sanders, 15- Davis // Oak Hills Starters: 2- Molton, 4- Anderson, 15- Hartman, 20- Mattiex, 33- Bell

SOUND BITE

"Proud of our guys for the way they played tonight," said Coach Joel Borchardt. "Wasn't the prettiest, but excited to pull out the win in front of our home crowd. Congrats to Coach Miller - they really brought it to us tonight. Really hoping to learn and improve from this - being more efficient in our shot selection and moving the ball better. We're facing a really tough game tomorrow. We look to improve in every game, and most of all to honor and glorify Christ in everything we do."

STATS

• Ball: 27 PTS, 5 REB, 2 AST
• Sanders: 14 PTS, 4 REB, 7 AST
• Herbster: 10 PTS (career-high)
• MBU: 50.8 FG%
• Last time: The Sabercats defeated the Wolfpack to win the 2018 NCCAA North Region Championship
• Series: Maranatha now leads the series 3-0

OPPONENTS

• Oak Hills competes with the Sabercats for the NCCAA North Region
• Oak Hills joined the NCCAA in 2015

NEXT

The Sabercats will take on Trinity International University tomorrow at 1:00 p.m. at home. Find details at mbusabercats.com/schedule.