December 14, 2021 | by Nate Croswell

LEAD

WATERTOWN, WIS. -- The Sabercats fell in a back-and-forth battle against Welch College tonight, losing in an 88-82 slugfest.

Freshman Noah Jensen put up career-highs in points (15) and rebounds (11), while Aaron Sanders and Jed Mayhak each dropped 12 points in the loss.

OVERVIEW

• Result: Maranatha 82-88 Welch
• Venue: Main Gym, Maranatha Baptist University
• Location: Watertown, Wis.
• Attendance: -
• Records: MBU (1-12), WC (2-11)

STORY

Maranatha controlled the early minutes of the game, running up to a 10-0 lead on five points from Caleb Moultrie. Welch then started to get themselves on the board, tying the game at 10 apiece. The Sabercats then pulled ahead again around the halfway point of the first half thanks to freshman Noah Jensen scoring six points within a three-minute span. But the Flames kept themselves in the game, keeping it tight throughout the entire half. The score remained close, each team going back-and-forth for possessions and baskets, until Welch took the lead with just a minute left in the half. When the buzzer rang, the Flames held a slight 38-34 lead over Maranatha. Jensen led the way for the Sabercats' offense with 14 points in the first half, already a career-high for the freshman big man.

Once the second half began, however, Welch started to increase their lead a bit, reaching an eight-point lead that held around six to eight points for nearly the first ten minutes of the half. The Sabercats battled back, bringing the score within two points with 10 minutes remaining. Jed Mayhak provided a major spark in the middle of the half by scoring nine points in a two-minute span. Both teams fought hard in a back-and-forth slugfest until the Sabercats took the lead with five minutes left. The Flames responded by snatching the lead back moments later. At three minutes remaining, Maranatha took the lead back momentarily, and then the Flames took that lead right back. As the minutes began to drag on, the score stayed within three points, neither team willing to budge or give up. Unfortunately, Welch hit several clutch shots in the final minute to put the score out of reach for the Sabercats to make a last-minute comeback, ending the 2021 portion of Maranatha's schedule with an 88-82 loss.

Despite the result, Jensen earned himself some minutes with a career-high 15 points and career-high 11 rebounds off the bench. Mayhak proved the difference he can make by scoring 12 points, nine within the span of two minutes. Aaron Sanders stepped up by dropping 12 points and grabbing seven rebounds. Josh Davis contributed to the effort with 11 points and 7 rebounds. Moultrie finished with nine points and five rebounds, while Malachi Herbster added eight points and five rebounds.

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Maranatha Starters: 3- Mayhak, 5- Sanders, 15- Davis, 21- Moultrie, 24- Herbster // Welch starters: 1- Smith, 11- Chapman, 20- Mitchell, 22- Walker, 23- Kendrick

STATS

• Jensen: 15 PTS (career-high), 11 REB (career-high)
• Sanders: 12 PTS, 7 REB
• Mayhak: 12 PTS
• Davis: 11 PTS, 7 REB
• MBU: 53.4% FG
• WC: 45.7% FG
• Last time: There is no previous history between Maranatha and Welch College 
• Series: Welch now leads the all-time series 1-0

OPPONENTS

• Welch competes in the powerhouse NCCAA DII Mideast region

NEXT

The Sabercats will host Trinity Bible (N.D.) when they return from Christmas break on January 10 at 7:00 p.m. Follow at mbusabercats.com/schedule.