LEAD

JOPLIN, Mo. -- Maranatha Women's Basketball concluded their season this morning with a 70-61 win over #7 Barclay in the NCCAA National 5th-Place Game. Callie Morrison led Maranatha with a show-stopping 31 points, 7 rebounds, and 5 assists and Claire Hansel marked her final game for Maranatha with 14 points and 15 rebounds. The Sabercats conclude the 2020-21 season with a 12-9 record.

In a season full of ups and downs and unpredictability, Maranatha ended with a 10-2 NCCAA record, a third consecutive regional title, and a 5th-place finish at the National Tournament.

OVERVIEW

• Result: #4 Maranatha 70-61 #7 Barclay
• Venue: Ozark Christian College
• Event: NCCAA DII National 5th-Place Game
• Location: Joplin, Mo.
• Attendance: 71
• Records: MBU (12-9, 10-2 NCCAA), BC (15-7, 14-5 NCCAA)

STORY

Both teams struggled to connect their shots early on, but Maranatha caught fire as the first quarter ended, going on a 17-0 run that extended late into the second. That scoring spree gave them breathing room for most of the game, and Callie Morrison was right in the thick of it. By the time halftime hit, the All-American had almost singlehandedly outscored Barclay. 

Going into the break, Maranatha had a 36-22 lead and Callie had scored 21.

*calmly jogs off* https://t.co/btPCwXAqO6

— Maranatha Athletics (@MBUSabercats) March 13, 2021

The second half wasn't marked by extremes. Callie and the Sabercats kept the Bears out of striking distance until late in the fourth quarter, but the closest Barclay could come was within 5 points inside of the final minute. On the last few possessions, Callie and Katelyn Morrison sealed the game from the line, making two free throws apiece.

Callie finished the day with 31 points - it seemed that Barclay adjusted appropriately at halftime but at that point, Callie and the Sabercats had done the damage they needed to.

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Seniors Claire Hansel and Jacklyn Simpson both played their final games in Maranatha colors.

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Maranatha Starters: 3- C. Morrison, 4- Johnson, 5- Hansel, 25- K. Morrison, 32- Simpson // Barclay Starters: 00- Mannering, 01- Carr, 03- Scales, 12- Williams, 23- Jackson

STATS

• Morrison: 31 PTS, 7 REB, 5 AST, 2 STL, 2 BLK
• Morrison: 2nd straight game with 30 or more points
• Hansel: 14 PTS, 15 REB, 4 AST, 2 STL
• Simpson: 9 PTS, 7 REB
• MBU: 41.5 FG%, 30.0 3PT%
• Series: Maranatha now leads the all-time series 1-0

OPPONENTS

• Barclay qualified for Nationals as an At-Large Selection
• Barclay competes in the Southwest Region and the Midwest Christian College Conference
• Barclay is one of four Southwest Region teams at Nationals (Arlington, Champion, Barclay, Ozark)

NEXT

The Sabercats conclude their season with a 12-9 record and a 10-2 showing against NCCAA competition. A full recap of the season will come at mbusabercats.com.