December 4, 2021 | by Taylor Pill

LEAD

ST. PAUL -- Maranatha stayed close in the first half this afternoon but were ultimately outlasted by the reigning NCCAA DI national champions, falling 58-85 to Northwestern inside a rowdy Erickson Center on the UNW campus.

Caleb Moultrie led Maranatha with 18 points - his seventh straight game in double figures. Northwestern's Kyle Kaemingk was the player of the game with 28 points and seven boards.

OVERVIEW

• Result: Maranatha 58-85 Northwestern
• Venue: Ericksen Center
• Location: Minneapolis, Minn.
• Attendance: 528
• Records: MBU (0-9), UNW (3-3) 

STORY

The Sabercats had some good looks in the first half but still shot below 30 percent for the 20-minute stretch. Northwestern got in front early and stayed in front, as they managed to keep Maranatha at an arm's length in what was turning into a tight contest. 

Kaemingk did the lion's share of the scoring, logging 16 first-half points as the Eagles took a 37-26 lead into halftime. Maranatha's starting five was responsible for all but three points, as Dylan Woodward came off the bench to register three points and three rebounds.

The second half was all about Northwestern, as the Eagles out-rebounded Maranatha 26-11 and put up 48 second-half points to pull away as the game went on. Micah Pocernich came off the bench to score 13 points of 5-6 shooting for the Eagles, who rode the momentum of a 500-plus home crowd to secure the 58-85 win.

--

Maranatha Starters: 3- Mayhak, 5- Sanders, 15- Davis, 21- Moultrie, 24- Herbster // Northwestern starters: 2- Waldeck, 4- Boerema, 10- Kaemingk, 21- Alm, 24- Fahnbulleh

STATS

• Moultrie: 18 PTS, 4 REB
• Josh Davis: 10 PTS, 6 REB
• Aaron Sanders: 9 PTS, 3 REB, 2 AST
• Kaemingk: 28 PTS (Northwestern)
• Last time: Northwestern defeated Maranatha 100-69 on November 15, 2013 
• Series: Northwestern now leads the all-time series 3-2

OPPONENTS

• Northwestern is the reigning champion of the Upper Midwest Athletic Conference (NCAA DIII)
• Northwestern competes in the NCCAA DI, winning the national championship last year
• Northwestern has qualified for the NCAA DIII National Tournament seven times since 2011

NEXT

The Sabercats head to Ankeny, Iowa next weekend for the Faith Christmas Classic with a game against Calvary on Friday, December 10 at 4:00 p.m. Follow along at mbusabercats.com/schedule.