January 13, 2023 | by Taylor Pill

LEAD

HANCOCK, Mich. -- The Sabercats took another tough loss at Finlandia University, falling to the tenth-ranked team in the NCCAA, Grace Christian, 67-96.

Four of the five Sabercats starters found double-digit points on the night. Caleb Moultrie led Maranatha with 17 points while Ty Thiel led Grace with 30.

OVERVIEW

• Result: Maranatha 67-96 Grace Christian
• Venue: Paavo Nurmi Center - Finlandia University
• Location: Hancock, Mich.
• Attendance: -
• Records: MBU (2-13), GCU (9-10)

STORY 

Caleb Moultrie hit a three-pointer early on to spark a 6-0 lead for Maranatha, but that quick lead was the farthest the Sabercats could go ahead on the night. The Tigers quickly settled into a rhythm and pulled in front before ultimately pulling away in the first half and the rest of the 40-minute battle.

Ty Thiel was the Tigers' pace-setter, knocking down a dozen first-half points before scoring 18 in the second half. Thiel shot a tidy 9-14 from the floor as he led the Tigers to a 50-percent shooting performance on the night, which was one of the key separation points between the two teams. That, and a 21-7 turnover deficit in favor of the Tigers.

Moultrie was the danger man for Maranatha, knocking down 17 points on the night. Brayden Cox stepped into the starting lineup to replace the injured Josh Davis, and the Texan didn't miss a beat, logging seven points, two rebounds, four assists, and two steals on the night.

All in all, it was another difficult test for the Sabercats, who continue to test their resolve against a difficult lineup of opponents.

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Maranatha Starters: 0- Woodward, 2- Cox, 21- Moultrie, 24- Herbster, 35- Akonofua

STATS

• Box Score
• MBU: 39.1 FG%
• GCU: 50 FG%
• Last time: Maranatha fell 79-49 to Grace Bible in the NCCAA North Region Championship on February 27, 2016
• Series: Maranatha trails the all-time series 10-26

OPPONENTS

• Grace competes in the National Christian College Athletic Association Mideast Region (DII)
• Grace finished the '21-'22 season with a 17-15 overall record
• Grace fell last season to Campbellsville Harrodsburg in the NCCAA Mideast Regional Championship (70-76)

NEXT

The Sabercats return home to Watertown to face Trinity International on Thursday, January 19th at 7 p.m. Follow at mbusabercats.com/schedule.