LEAD

WATERTOWN, Wis. -- After a slow start, the Sabercats made fast work of a 22-point win tonight over NCCAA DI opponents Lincoln Christian University.

Callie Morrison led Maranatha with 17 points, and four of the five MBU starters hit double digits in yet another team win.

OVERVIEW

• Result: Maranatha 66-44 Lincoln Christian
• Venue: Maranatha Baptist University
• Location: Watertown, Wis.
• Attendance: 147
• Record: MBU (15-3), LCU (2-23)

STORY

It was a slow start for Maranatha, who out-played their opponents but couldn't seem to find the way to the bucket consistently. MBU connected just four of 17 shots from the floor, and it was a two-point game at the end of the opening quarter.

From there, the Sabercats struggled to truly control the game, but thanks to their hard-working defense and some capable shooting from Morrison and Kelsey Johnson, the lead began to increase slightly. And when Trisha Wright knocked down a three-pointer with 11 seconds on the clock, the Sabercats had a seven-point lead in a low-scoring game. (27-20)

The second half held the same storyline that the Sabercats have produced multiple times this season: a big third quarter en route to a comfortable win. Maranatha scored a game-high 20 points in the third quarter alone, limiting the Red Lions' noise to just a dull roar. Thanks to that big third, the Sabercats were just seven points shy of doubling their first-half total, and they were on the verge of another big win over LCU in the 2019-20 season.

That win came after a near-repeat of the third quarter in the final act, as the Sabercats put up 19 points to the Red Lions' 11. Morrison added six points to bring her game total up to a team-leading 17 points, and the Sabercats coasted to the finish after 40 minutes of work on their home court.

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MBU Starters: 3- C. Morrison, 12- Ka. Johnson, 13- Ke. Johnson, 25- K. Morrison, 30- Lawver

STATS

• Callie: 17 PTS, 7 REB, 4 STL
• Kelsey: 10 PTS, 14 REB
• Kelsey: 9th double-double this season
• Karley Johnson: 10 PTS, 3 STL
• Regina Anderson: 7 PTS, 9 REB (career-high)
• Last time: The Sabercats won 85-47 earlier this season
• Series: Maranatha leads the all-time series 29-12

OPPONENTS

• Lincoln Christian competes in the NAIA as an independent member
• Lincoln Christian also competes in the NCCAA DI
• Lincoln Christian used to compete with Maranatha for the NCCAA DII Midwest Region

NEXT

The Sabercats will host Holy Family College on Thursday at 5:00 p.m. Find details at mbusabercats.com/schedule.