LEAD

WATERTOWN, Wis.- While the final score didn't show it, the Sabercats played a good game full of energy and aggression from start to finish. Unfortunately, Mount Mary was just able to convert on more opportunities and took the game 82-53, sweeping the three game season series. 

With the game closing out this years regular season, Katelyn Brown led her team one last time on the Maranatha court with 21 points, also pulling in nine rebounds. Kaili Swaffer, who also will not be returning next year, earned her first start of the season and led the team on the boards, pulling in 12 rebounds (4Off-8Def). 

Lindsay Mikkelson had another good night, earning her career-high of 16 points. 

OVERVIEW

• Result: Maranatha 53-82 Mount Mary
• Venue: MBU Gymnasium - Maranatha Baptist University
• Location: Watertown, Wis.
• Attendance: 40
• Records: MBU (7-15), MMU (11-11)

STORY 

Having already lost to Mount Mary twice this year, Maranatha was hoping to close out their season with a home court upset. But things got a little more difficult after losing starting guard Sarah Ureke to injury in last Saturday's game against Kuyper. But despite lacking numbers, the Sabercats came out with energy and continued to push through fatigue until the final buzzer. 

While the scoreboard didn't show it, the Sabercats played a pretty strong game. They shot in the high 30 to low 40 percentile through every quarter to finish with shooting percentage of 38.3, just .7 below their opponents. 

A rough patch of turnovers and a couple of second-chance opportunities awarded the Blue Angels 17 more shot opportunities than the Sabercats, resulting in their 82-53 victory. 

Maranatha will now set their focus ahead to the NCCAA Regional tournament which will be held February 29-March 2 at Grace Christian. Seeding, opponents, and game times have yet to be determined. 
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Maranatha Starters: 4-Steuerwald, 10-Joiner, 15-Swaffer, 21-Mikkelson, 25-Brown

STATS

• MBU: shot 38.3 percent from the field
• MMU: shot 39 percent from the field
• Lindsay Mikkelson: Career High 16-points
• Last time: Maranatha fell to Mount Mary 48-64 on February 5, 2024
• Series: Maranatha leads the all-time series against Mount Mary 30-13

OPPONENTS

• Mount Mary competes in the Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference (NCAA Dlll)
• Mount Mary also competes in the Coast-To-Coast Athletic Conference
• Mount Mary finished the '22-23 season with an 7-19 record

NEXT

The Sabercats travel to Wyoming, Michigan for the NCCAA Regional Tournament on Thursday Feb. 29 - Mar. 2. Details TBD. Follow at mbusabercats.com/schedule.