WATERTOWN, Wis.— It was a rollercoaster of a night for the Sabercats as they took on the Emmaus Eagles, testing themselves against their first NCCAA Midwest Region competitor of the season.
Despite trailing the Eagles for the majority of the game, the Sabercats got the job done, clawing their way back to take a 73-69 win.
OVERVIEW
- Result: Maranatha 73-69 Emmaus
- Venue: Maranatha Baptist University
- Location: Watertown, Wis.
- Attendance: 150
- Record: MBU (2-1), EU (1-2)
STORY
In the opening minutes of the game, both teams were neck and neck, keeping the score even through the first 5 minutes. Then the Eagles went on a 7-point streak, giving them the lead, 16-9. Thanks to 3 pointers from
James Hawley and
Joe Shank and a layup from
Grant Brock, the Sabercats were back in the game within a few minutes, though still trailing by 2 points. Fast forward to the end of the first half, and the point differential was back to 2. With 40 seconds left in the half, it looked like the Sabercats might go to the locker room with their first lead since the beginning of the half. Then Nathaniel Wagner drained 2 free throws, turning the tables and giving the Eagles the lead at halftime.
What changed in the second half? Not much. The Sabercats again took a small lead at the outset of the half, then the Eagles took the driver's seat again, closely trailed by the Sabercats. With two and a half minutes left in the game, it was tied 66-66. The atmosphere was electric, and the Sabercats weren't letting off the gas. With a layup by
Will Schultz, the Sabercats took the lead for just the fourth time in the game. As the clock wound down to a minute, the Eagles' Josh Stewart sank a dagger 3-pointer that put the Eagles up by one. Hawley didn't miss a beat as he answered with a timely layup. The Sabercats inched closer to a win as they caused a turnover, forcing the Eagles to foul for a chance at possession in the waning seconds of the game. Schultz stepped to the line and sank both shots, making it a 3-point ball game. With just six seconds left, the Eagles missed their 3-point attempt, causing them to foul in a last-ditch effort. Hawley made a free throw, sealing the deal for the Sabercats and giving them both their first home and Midwest region wins of the season. It was a night that won't soon be forgotten, generating excitement about how the rest of the season may unfold for the Sabercats.
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Maranatha Starters: 3- Northern, 4- Price (C), 13- Hawley (C), 14- Cleveland, 30- Schultz
STATS
- Hawley: 19 points, 7 rebounds
- Schultz: 16 points, 9 rebounds
- Brock: 12 points, 6 rebounds
- Series: The Sabercats lead the series 27-7.
OPPONENTS
- Emmaus competes with the Sabercats in the Midwest Region (NCCAA DII).
- Emmaus finished the 23'-24' season with a record of 3-25.
NEXT
The Sabercats stay in Watertown to play Beloit this Friday for a tipoff at 7:00 PM. Follow at mbusabercats.com/schedule.
