FOND DU LAC, Wis. --- The Sabercats had their hands full against the Marian University Sabres, as they fell 45-61 in Fond du Lac despite a career-best 24 points from Alexis Johnson, who joined eight other fall athletes in playing their first game for the Sabercats' Women's Basketball Team this season.

The Basics

• Result: Sabercats 45-61 Sabres
• Venue: Sadoff Gymnasium; Fond du Lac, Wis.
• Attendance: 110
• Sabercats: now 2-2, Sabres: now 1-3

How it Happened

• 1st Half
  • Marian took a strong lead by the end of the first quarter, which was the most lopsided of the four. The Sabres answered the Sabercats' 4-0 opening run with a 14-2 scoring streak, as the Sabercats struggled from the field.
  • At the end of the first quarter, the Sabercats trailed by eight points after they battled eight consecutive misfires and eight turnovers, marking a loose start to the game. (6-14)
  • The second quarter saw the Sabercats settle into more of a rhythm, as they more than doubled their points while shooting 6/17 from the field.
  • Despite the improvements within the half, the Sabercats could not match the hard-charging Sabres, who grabbed nine offensive rebounds to hold the momentum. After conceding those opening four points, the Sabres held the lead from the first quarter until the final horn sounded.
  • The Sabres still edged the Sabercats by three points through the second quarter, as they took the 19-30 lead going into the break. (19-30)
• 2nd Half
  • Both teams scored 14 points in the third quarter as the hosts' efforts were sufficient to stay out of the Sabercats' reach.
  • In a sister act, Alexis and Kelsey Johnson combined for 10 of the Sabercats' points, as Hanna Glaze and Harmony Bailey added two points apiece in the penultimate 10-minute period. (33-44)
  • From the start of the fourth quarter, the Sabres never looked back, as they extended their lead out to 18 points - their largest lead of the night - just two minutes in. (33-51)
  • Alexis Johnson then went on a scoring streak of 10 points to help the Sabercats add a dozen more, but the lead for the Sabres was too great at that point, as the hosts closed out the win. (45-61)

Extra

• Alison Hernandez, Karley Johnson, Kelsey Johnson, and Keri Lundquist all made their Sabercats debuts on the night.

Up Next

• The Sabercats return to the home floor on Monday, December 5 to face the Lakers of Silver Lake College for a 5:00 PM start.
• Catch the game live at mbusabercats.com/live