WATERTOWN, Wis. -- The Sabercats are starting a trend now, as they once again improved in the second half but couldn't overcome a slow start, falling to Principia College 66-82 today inside Principia College's Hay Field House.

Brayden Cox led Maranatha with 14 points while Will Schultz (11) and Chris Orsello (10) reached double figures as well. On the day, Principia held a 12-point advantage from the line and out-rebounded the Sabercats 35-21 to fuel the win.

OVERVIEW

• Result: Maranatha 66-82 Principia
• Venue: Hay Field House, Principia College
• Location: Elsah, Ill.
• Attendance: 100
• Records: MBU (0-2), PC (1-0)

STORY 

The lead changed hands constantly through the majority of the first half, but late turnovers killed the Sabercats' hard-earned momentum, as three turnovers in the final 51 seconds of the half grew the Panthers' lead from 7 to 13 points entering halftime. Going into the locker room, Maranatha had 12 giveaways in total which amounted to 19 points off turnovers for the hosts. Both teams shared possessions and chances, but Maranatha had given Principia the edge.

The second half was a chance for the Sabercats to regroup, as they tightened up their possession. Cox, Schultz, and Orsello did their best to rally the troops but the closest the Sabercats could come was just a 7-point deficit, which came just over three minutes into the half after a Ben Price layup. That first-half gap was too big to overcome.

When it was all said and done, the Panthoers comfortably wrapped up a 16-point win, marking a winning start to their 2024-25 season. 

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Maranatha Starters: 2-Cox (C), 4-Price (C), 12-Gingery, 24-Orsello, 30-Shultz

STATS

• Box Score
• Last time: Maranatha won 72-66 at home last season
• Series: Principia now leads the series 2-1

OPPONENTS

• Principia competes in the St. Louis Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (NCAA-DIII)
• Principia finished the '23-'24 season with a record of 7-19
• Last season, Principia fell to Spalding University (68-45) in the SLIAC quarterfinal

NEXT

The Sabercats travel to Marian University on Tuesday night for a 7:00 p.m. tip in Fond do Lac, Wisconsin. Follow at mbusabercats.com/schedule.