LEAD

JOPLIN, Mo. -- A late surge wasn't enough today for Maranatha, who fell 59-52 to #4 Grace Christian University in the opening round of NCCAA Nationals. Jacklyn Simpson was a key player in the loss, posting 13 points, 10 rebounds, 3 assists, and 6 steals. Emily Johnson added 14 points and 5 boards while Callie Morrison had 11 points, 7 rebounds, and 7 assists.

The loss moves the Sabercats into the consolation bracket, where they can finish no better than fifth place at Nationals. Maranatha will play the loser of #1 Arlington Baptist/#8 Ozark Christian at 10:00 a.m. CST tomorrow while Grace faces the winner in the National Semifinal.

Maranatha went into today's game looking to finish the business of the last two years, but Grace Christian had none of it. The Tigers took their 12th win in the all-time series and their second consecutive postseason win over MBU.

OVERVIEW

• Result: #4 Maranatha 52-59 #5 Grace Christian
• Venue: Ozark Christian College
• Event: NCCAA DII National Tournament
• Location: Joplin, Mo.
• Attendance: 94
• Records: MBU (10-9), GCU (10-13)

STORY

Grace seemed to be taking early control of the game, but Maranatha turned things around late in the second quarter. Jacklyn Simpson led the Blue and Gold with 10 points, 5 rebounds, and 4 steals while Emily Johnson logged 7 points and 3 boards. Grace out-shot and out-rebounded Maranatha in the first half, but entering halftime, Maranatha had cut Grace's 13-point lead to just six.

Grace seemed to stay just in front of Maranatha by hitting shots at just the "wrong" time. But Callie Morrison started to take the game into her own hands with 9 points in the third, and with just 10 minutes to go, Maranatha had come back to within 2.

Maranatha's persistence paid off with their first meaningful lead of the game in the fourth quarter, when Johnson hit a deep three to make it 49-46. But Grace responded immediately with an 11-1 run to undo all the hard work. 

That brief lead was all the Sabercats could do. The shots just didn't fall in the closing minutes, and Grace held on for the seven-point win despite the resilience and drive that has characterized Maranatha in the 2020-21 season. 

--

Maranatha Starters: 3- C. Morrison, 4- Johnson, 5- Hansel, 25- K. Morrison, 32- Simpson // Grace Starters: 5- VanVleet, 13- George, 30- Fitzpatrick, 33- Libey, 45- Hoek

STATS

• Simpson: 13 PTS, 10 REB, 3 AST, 6 STL
• Johnson: 14 PTS, 5 REB
• Morrison 11 PTS, 7 REB, 7 AST
• MBU: 25.8 FG%, 21.4 3PT%
• Last time: The Sabercats won 57-43 in the 2018-19 season
• Series: Maranatha now leads the all-time series 27-12
• Series: Maranatha leads the all-time postseason series 9-3

OPPONENTS

• Grace won the Mideast Region Championship to qualify for Nationals
• Grace used to compete with the Sabercats for the NCCAA Midwest Region
• Grace beat Maranatha for the 2016 Midwest Region Championship - that was the last time they met in the postseason

NEXT

The Sabercats are placed in the consolation bracket tomorrow at 10:00 a.m. against the loser of #1 Arlington Baptist and #8 Ozark Christian. Find details at mbusabercats.com/schedule.