LEAD

MILWAUKEE -- The Sabercats' defense was on point tonight as they ended the year on a high note.

Callie Morrison and Kelsey Johnson hit career-highs in steals and rebounds as the Sabercats topped Alverno College 54-44 to improve to 3-1 on the season.

OVERVIEW

• Result: Maranatha 54-44 Alverno
• Venue: Reimann Gymnasium, Alverno College
• Location: Milwaukee
• Attendance: 37
• Records: MBU (3-1), AC (2-8)

STORY

The Sabercats' defense was a difference-maker in the opening 10 minutes, as they kept their hosts to shooting just 1-6 from downtown and a mere 3-13 from the field. 

But if the Inferno shooting was cold in the first quarter, both teams went almost completely frozen in the second - a defensive battle ensued and the two teams combined for just 11 points in the second quarter. Going into the break, the Sabercats has just a 17-13 lead with Kelsey Johnson leading all scorers with six points.

The halftime team talks seemed to help, however, as both teams turned it around offensively in the third quarter. Morrison was ubiquitous defensively, as she eventually picked up a career-high seven steals. Johnson was the leader around the rim, as she racked up a career-high-tying 18 rebounds on the night. Karley Johnson carried the load offensively with 10 points, and the Sabercats were on the verge of the win, leading 32-24 going into the final act.

In crunch time, the Sabercats put up 22 points in the final quarter alone. They needed eight of those points from the line, as they kept the pedal to the metal to close out the win. 

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MBU Starters: 3- C. Morrison, 4- Wright, 12- Johnson, 13- Johnson, 30- Lawver

STATS

• Karley: 17 PTS, 9 REB
• Callie: 13 PTS, 5 AST, 7 STL (career-high)
• Kelsey: 12 PTS, 18 REB (career-high-tying)
• Regina Anderson: Led the bench with 8 PTS, 3 STL
• Last year: The Sabercats won 60-45 at home
• Series: Alverno now leads the all-time series 12-11

OPPONENTS

• Alverno competes in the NCAA DIII in the Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference
• Alverno holds a 2-3 NACC record this season 
• Alverno's 2018-19 roster was half made up of seniors

NEXT

The Sabercats will resume games on January 4 at Northland College. Follow at mbusabercats.com/schedule.