LEAD

WATERTOWN, Wis. -- The Sabercats are starting strong and not looking back, as they topped Emmaus Bible College tonight by eight points on the home floor.

Another 30-point performance from Callie Morrison fueled the big win for the Sabercats, who could be headed for another lengthy winning streak after beating EBC for the second time this season.

OVERVIEW

• Result: Maranatha 74-66 Emmaus 
• Venue: Maranatha Baptist University
• Location: Watertown, Wis.
• Attendance: 89
• Records: MBU (11-2), Emmaus (11-7)

STORY

A balanced performance from the starting five gave the Sabercats a comfortable lead after the first quarter. Morrison and Karley Johnson led the Blue and Gold with six points apiece as Maranatha went up 24-17 in the high-scoring start. From there, the game was tightly contested as the two teams went. Each of the next three quarters would yield just a one-point difference between the two teams.

Both sides cooled off in the second quarter, as the Sabercats and the Eagles both shot just 35 percent from the floor, and MBU maintained an eight-point lead going into the halftime break.

The third quarter was all about Callie.

The sophomore sensation put up 15 points on her own - almost singlehandedly outscoring all of Emmaus. Morrison knocked down three shots from the line, two shots from downtown, and another three from two-point range as the Sabercats held Emmaus off once again, extending that lead to nine points entering the final act. 

The Sabercats did what they needed to do in the final quarter to hold off the determined Eagles. Callie put up another seven points and Kelsey Johnson stepped in at the right time to contribute 10 points to the cause. Even after Emmaus held a 20-19 advantage in the final quarter, the Sabercats had sealed the win on their home floor thanks to 30 points from Callie Morrison.

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MBU Starters: 3- C. Morrison, 12- Ka. Johnson, 13- Ke. Johnson, 25- K. Morrison, 32- Anderson

STATS

• Callie: 30 PTS, 5 REB, 4 AST, 4 STL
• Callie: second 30-point game in the last 3 games
• Kelsey: 18 PTS, 10 REB, 3 AST, 3 STL
• MBU: Shot 43 percent on the day
• Bench points: MBU 7-4 EBC
• Last time: The Sabercats beat Emmaus 67-58 in Dubuque earlier this season
• Series: Maranatha now leads the all-time series 23-8

OPPONENTS

• Emmaus competes with the Sabercats for the NCCAA North Region
• Emmaus had won five of their last six games coming into tonight.
• Emmaus welcomed Heather Cunard as their new head coach for this season

NEXT

The Sabercats will host Faith Baptist Bible College on Monday for an 8:00 p.m. tip. Find details at mbusabercats.com/schedule.