LEAD
WATERTOWN, Wis.-- After a loss to Martin Luther the previous night, Maranatha's hopes of a different outcome quickly diminished after poor first half. Trailing 14-54 at halftime, the Sabercats were able to regain a little dignity by the end of the game, finishing stronger but with a 33-76 loss.
Martin Luther seemed to be on their game from the start, shooting 43.7 percent from the night and draining 10 three-pointers. Three of five starters ended in double-digits, led by Grace Kieselhorst with 18.
For Maranatha, Paige Joiner and Katelyn Brown led the team with 10 points apiece. Chloe Steuerwald and Kaili Swaffer each earned career highs of eight points and eight rebounds respectively.
OVERVIEW
- Result: Maranatha 33-76 Martin Luther
- Venue: MBU Gymnasium - Maranatha Baptist University
- Location: Watertown, Wis.
- Attendance: 85
- Records: MBU (5-12), MLC (7-12)
STORY
Chances for a close game quickly went out the window as Martin Luther came out to grab a 21-3 lead within the first five minutes of play. While the Knights only hit 4-28 from behind the arc the night prior, that did not seem like it would be the case tonight. They shot 6-10 from long range, with Grace Kieselhorst and Lydia Feidt getting three apiece.
Maranatha on the other hand, struggled just to get the opportunity to set up their offense as they gave up 19 turnovers in the first 20 minutes.
The Sabercats just did not seem to have their heads in the game as they entered the locker room at half, already feeling defeated with 14-54 deficit. With a win out of reach, Coach Brown instructed his girls to start playing as a team and try to finish with a little bit of dignity.
The locker room pep talk seemed to spark something in the team as the next half looked entirely different. Chloe Steuerwald, who finished with 8 on the night, showed some aggression her team had been looking for from her all season, which sparked a bit of energy on the bench.
Maranatha proved they were able to keep up with the team through the next two quarters as they finished 19-22 (MLC) in the second half.
The final score put Martin Luther on top 76-33.
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Maranatha Starters: 4-Steuerwald, 5-Ureke, 10-Joiner, 21-Mikkelson, 25-Brown
STATS
- MBU: shot 26.5 percent from the field
- MLC: shot 43.7 percent from the field
- Last time: Maranatha fell to Martin Luther yesterday, 36-75
- Series: Maranatha now trails the series against Martin Luther 2-8
OPPONENTS
- Martin Luther competes in the Upper Midwest Athletic Conference (NCAA-Dlll)
- Martin Luther finished the 22'-23 season with record of 9-16
NEXT
The Sabercats stay in Watertown to take on Grace Christian in a NCCAA Midwest matchup, Saturday at 6 P.M. Follow at mbusabercats.com/schedule.
