January 21, 2023 | by Ashley Nerat

LEAD

HANCOCK, Mich. -- After a long day of travel, the Sabercats fell 35-106 to Finlandia University. 

Despite the score, Maranatha made strides in the right direction coming out in the first quarter stronger than they possibly have all season. 

Kyria Teachout led the Sabercats in the game, earning her second double-double of the season, with 10 points and 10 rebounds.

OVERVIEW

• Result: Maranatha 35-106 Finlandia
• Venue: Paavo Nurmi Center - Finlandia University
• Location: Hancock, Michigan
• Attendance: 63
• Records: MBU (2-12), FinnU (6-10)

STORY    

Maranatha knew that Finlandia would be a tough opponent. What they didn't expect was for the Lions to have their best shooting game of the season, finishing with a 52.7 shot percentage on the night. 

The Sabercats had one of their best starts of the season. Even though the Lions put a quick five points on the board, Kyria Teachout was able to answer back with a layup. Maranatha was never actually able to obtain the lead, but they kept things interesting by staying within ten points of their opponents throughout the first quarter. At the first horn the score with 19-9 Finlandia. 

But things soon started to go downhill for the Sabercats as the Lions started to heat up from the three-point line. Finlandia Sophomore Elli Djerf finished the night 7-for-7 from beyond the arc, raking up 29 points for her team. Finlandia just could not be stopped from deep. They knocked down 12 triples by the end of the game. 

Finlandia may have come up with the win at the end of the day, but things are not completely over between these two teams. Maranatha will have a chance to redeem themselves when Finlandia travels to Watertown later in February for the Sabercats' last home game of their season.

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Maranatha Starters: 4- Steuerwald, 5-Ureke, 12- Ab. Herbster, 13- Teachout, 25- Morrison

STATS

• Kyria Teachout: Double-Double 
  • 10 Rebounds
  • 10 Points
• Box score
• MBU: shot 26.8 percent from the field
• FinnU: shot 52.8 percent from the field
• Last time: Maranatha fell 50-76 to Finlandia on February 5, 2022
• Series: Finlandia leads the all-time series against Maranatha 6-0 

OPPONENTS

• Finlandia competes in the Coast-to-Coast Athletic Conference (NCAA DIII)
• Finlandia fell 53-66 to Mary Washington in last season's C2C Quarter-finals 
• Finlandia finished the '21-'22 season with a 14-9overall record

NEXT

The Sabercats return to Watertown, Wisconsin to take on Martin Luther, Tuesday, January 24 at 4:00 p.m. Follow at mbusabercats.com/schedule.