WATERTOWN, Wis. — The Sabercats' 2024-25 home opener ultimately went down as a missed opportunity, as they fell 87-84 to Emmaus University in an NCCAA Midwest Region matchup.

Taydem Arguello put up 41 points for Emmaus, who capitalized on turnovers that plagued Maranatha in the contest. For the Sabercats, Brayden Cox (20 points) and Will Schultz (18 points) were the main characters for the Sabercats' offense on the night.

OVERVIEW

• Result: Maranatha 84-87 Emmaus
• Venue: MBU Gymnasium - Maranatha Baptist University
• Location: Watertown, Wis.
• Event: NCCAA Midwest Region - Regular Season
• Attendance: 221
• Records: MBU (0-5), EU (3-2)

STORY 
James Hawley made the first three-pointer that he looked at on the Maranatha floor, as the freshman gave Maranatha the lead with the first bucket of the game. But that was the only lead that Maranatha had in the clash, as the Eagles quickly made their case at the other end. Arguello, a transfer from the University of Dubuque, was piling on the points for the Eagles, scoring 16 of the first 30 for the hard-working visitors.

Turnovers were a key part of the picture from start to finish for Maranatha, as the Sabercats handed it over 12 times in the first half, gifting Emmaus 17 points in the process. Despite the miscues, the Sabercats were still keeping pace, as they went into the locker room down 44-41.

The second half was virtually a repeat of the first. Emmaus held off the Sabercats' bid at tying the game up, and the key run for Emmaus came around the 10-minute mark. Brayden Cox's layup made it a one-point game but Emmaus responded immediately with an 8-0 run fueled by 3 turnovers for the Sabercats. That run was unrecoverable for the Sabercats, who could only come within two points of the Eagles for the rest of the contest.

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Maranatha Starters: 2- Cox (C), 4- Price (C), 13- Hawley, 24- Orsello, 30- Schultz 

STATS

• Cox: 20 points, 4 rebounds
• Schultz: 18 points, 4 rebounds
• MBU shot 52.7 percent from the field
• EU shot 43.7 percent from the field
• Last time: Maranatha defeated Emmaus 78-62 on February 29, 2024 at NCCAA Regionals
• Series: Maranatha leads the series 40-9

OPPONENTS

• Emmaus competes in tthe National Christian Collegiate Athletic Association along side Maranatha in the Midwest Region (NCAA Dlll)
• Emmaus finished the 23'-24' season with a record of 6-24
• Emmaus made the change from Emmaus Bible College to Emmaus University in October

NEXT

The Sabercats travel to Ankeny, Iowa on Thursday to face Faith at 7 p.m. Central. Follow at mbusabercats.com/schedule.