WYOMING, Mich. --- The matchup between the Sabercats and the Tigers was a rematch of the 2015-16 Midwest Regional Championship, and the difference between the two teams was in finishing as the Tigers were outshot by the Sabercats but emerged with the 65-52 win. Alexis Johnson posted a career-second-best 23 points and added 11 boards on the night to lead the Sabercats in the loss.

The Basics

• Result: Sabercats 52-65 Tigers
• Location: Aldrich Athletic Center; Grace Bible College
• Attendance: 100
• Sabercats: now 5-6 and 2-1 in NCCAA play, Tigers: 5-7

How it Happened

• 1st Half
• The Sabercats produced early on, as their showing in the opening 10 minutes gave them the 17-12 lead. Harmony Bailey led the Sabercats with six points out of the gate and was supported by five points from both Hanna Glaze and Alexis Johnson. (17-12)
• The Tigers responded to their slow first quarter by posting nine unanswered points to start the second. Four different players scored as the Tigers upped their shooting game (GBC finished by shooting 44.6% from the field). Baylee Draper was the primary threat for the hosts, as she led all scorers with 20 points on the night. 
• Draper and the Tigers performance made the second quarter the most lopsided of the night, as they rode the momentum of 69% shooting from the field to outscore the Sabercats 21-8 to take a 33-25 lead into halftime. (25-33)
• 2nd Half
• Grace continued to pull away in the third quarter when the Sabercats struggled putting their chances away. MBU made just one of their 14 shots from the field, and the Tigers were eventually poised on a 30-45 lead going into the final 10 minutes of play.
• Draper and co. were back up above the 50% mark in their shooting during the final quarter. The Tigers had done enough in the second and third quarters to post the win even though the Sabercats outscored the Tigers 22-20 in the final act.
• Alexis Johnson was the only player to post double-digit points in the fourth quarter, and helped the Sabercats finish strong on an otherwise frustrating night. At the end of the 40 minutes, the Tigers had secured the win with 13 points to spare.

Up Next

• The Sabercats continue a prolonged stretch of road games with a trip to Illinois Tech. Friday, Jan. 13 at 5:00 p.m.
• You can watch the game live here courtesy of IIT Athletic Communications.