PALOS HEIGHTS, Ill. --- The Trolls of Trinity Christian College showed their superior divisional placement by dominating the play in a lopsided defeat of the Sabercats. With the loss, MBU falls back to .500 on the year.

Quick Facts

• Result: Sabercats 36-80 Trolls
• Venue: DeVos Gymnasium; Trinity Christian College
• Attendance: 75
• Sabercats: now 7-7, Trolls: now 11-10

How it Happened

• 1st Half
• The Sabercats were outmatched early on, as the Trolls dominated all phases of the game in the first quarter. An opening 6-0 run in the first minute triggered an MBU timeout, and the Trolls utilized their strength and size in the lane to gain a 17-2 lead in the first five minutes.
• From there, the Trolls extended their lead despite six points from Karley Johnson, as they kept the Sabercats defense guessing to carry a 30-12 lead into the second quarter. (12-30)
• The Sabercats put in an honest effort to stay close in the second quarter, but the Trolls showed their depth and variety to maintain the 20-point cushion. (25-46)
• In the opening half, the Sabercats were led by seven points from Hanna Glaze and six from Karley Johnson. 
• 2nd Half
• The Trolls whipped up a combination of a press and quick movement to keep the Sabercats on their heels in the third quarter. Karley Johnson reached double-digit points for the third time in her rookie year, but her efforts were not enough against a quick and certain Troll offense, who took their chances and extended their lead to nearly double that of the Sabercats. (33-63)
• No one could find the bucket until almost four minutes into the fourth quarter, as both defenses were scrappy enough to deny clear chances. The floodgates then opened, as the Trolls broke their deadlock with four quick points to extend the lead to 33 points entering the final five and a half minutes of the game. (34-67)
• The Trolls pulled away as the clock wound down, as their defense denied MBU points from the field. The last 10 minutes yielded little consolation for the Sabercats, but Amanda Rodriguez and Alyssa Wright connected from the line. 
• When all was said and done, the Trolls capped off a comfortable win while shooting 45.5 percent from the field. (36-80)

Up Next

• The Sabercats will continue their prolonged road stretch by returning to action Tuesday, Jan. 24 at Silver Lake College in a makeup game from the Jan. 17 cancelation. 
• Tip-off is set for 5:30 p.m. in Manitowoc, Wis.