February 23, 2023 | by Ashley Nerat

LEAD

DUBUQUE, IOWA -- In their last game of the regular season, the Sabercats were able to defeat NCCAA North Region rival Emmaus Bible College tonight, 52-43.

The highlight of the night came from Katelyn Morrison who scored her 1000th career point. Kyria Teachout also had a night to remember, leading the Sabercats with 17 points, a new career high. 

OVERVIEW

• Result: Maranatha 52-43 Emmaus
• Venue: Pollard Fieldhouse - Emmaus Bible College
• Location: Dubuque, IOWA
• Event: NCCAA North Region - Regular Season
• Attendance: 57
• Records: MBU (5-16), EBC (2-21)

STORY

After coming off a disappointing loss to Mount Mary earlier this week, Maranatha made an effort to start tonight off differently. They began the game with a full-court man-to-man press in an attempt to fluster their opponents early in the game. It seemed to do the trick as Katelyn Morrison stole the ball within the first 15 seconds of the game and found Kyria Teachout for a layup. The Sabercats pressure led to nine first-half steals, Morrison and Teachout both with three apiece. 

However, with this early pressure came early foul trouble for Sarah Ureke and Teachout who both picked up two fouls in the first few minutes of the game. Coach Brown was left with no choice but to turn to his bench earlier than anticipated. 

Even though the Sabercats kept hold of a lead throughout the first half, it was a struggle finishing at the rim. They continued to find their way into the paint but were left with no answers for the height of Emmaus who produced eight blocks in the first half alone. Six of those blocks came from the Eagle's Hannah Boyer. 

At the sound of the buzzer, Maranatha entered the locker room with a meager 19-13 lead at the half. 

The third quarter did not turn out the way the Sabercats had hoped. They continued to try and drive the ball to the hole, hoping to draw a foul, but they were granted no help from the officials. On the other end, the Eagles found some momentum and scored a total of 17 points. They fought against the Sabercats and took their first lead with just over a minute to go in the quarter. But the Sabercats were able to finish the third back on top with a one-point lead of 31-30.

Things were not looking promising as Emmaus came out to score a quick five points and gain the lead back at the start of the fourth quarter. But a clutch three-point shot from Lindsay Mikkelson kept the Sabercats in the game. A steal from Teachout which led to a layup from Ureke gave the Sabercats the lead back with just under five minutes to go in the game. 

At this point, Katelyn Morrison decided to take things into her own hands. She grabbed a couple of back-to-back steals and charged the hoop. Finally getting the calls she had been looking for all game, she went to the line to give the Sabercats that extra cushion they needed. 

With just under 50 seconds in the game, Morrison made Maranatha history by sinking a long-ranger two-pointer for her 1000th point. She finished with 13 points on the night, exactly what she needed to accomplish her 1000 points. Kyria Teachout came in clutch for the Sabercats with 17 points on the night, a new career high for her.

While the game did not go exactly the way Maranatha had hoped it would, in the end, it was a satisfying win to finish the regular season. The Sabercats finished with a 5-16 record overall and a 4-4 record in the NCCAA North Region. Ranked No. 9, they will now prepare to face off against No. 8 Central, next Wednesday to start off the NCCAA North Region Tournament. A win will advance them into Thursday, while a loss will end their season. 

�� The moment she broke 1,000 pic.twitter.com/vBfi1MaCLl

— Maranatha Athletics (@MBUSabercats) February 23, 2023

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Katelyn Morrison got to share her 1,000-points night with her friends and family!

Congrats, Katelyn, and what a memory!!

�� Maranatha 52
�� Emmaus 43

FINAL pic.twitter.com/1uCSs5yJFv

— Maranatha Athletics (@MBUSabercats) February 23, 2023

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

STATS

• Kyria Teachout: 17PTS*, 6REB, 5STL
• Katelyn Morrison: (1000 Career Points) 13PTS, 7REB, 7STL, 2AST
• Box Score
• MBU: shot 28.6 percent from the field
• EBC: shot 31.9 percent from the field
• Last time: Maranatha beat Emmaus 62-32 on November 17, 2022
• Series: Maranatha leads the all-time series 27-10 against the Emmaus

*Career-Hgh

OPPONENTS

• Emmaus compete in the Midwest Christian College Conference
• Emmaus also competes with Maranatha in the NCCAA DII North Region
• Maranatha and Emmaus have met in the North Region semifinals four years in a row
• Emmaus lost to the Sabercats in each of the last  four NCCAA North Region semifinals
• Emmaus finished the '21-'22 season with a record of 13-10

NEXT

The Sabercats will prepare for the NCCAA Regional Tournament which will be held in Dubuque, Iowa. No. 9 Maranatha will face No. 8 Central in the first game of the tournament on Wednesday, March 1, at 10 a.m. A win will advance them into Thursday, a loss will send them home. Follow at mbusabercats.com/schedule.Find details at mbusabercats.com/schedule.