OVERLAND PARK, Kan.— In a season-opening banger, the Sabercats took a gritty 87-84 win from the Barclay Bears last night.

James Hawley and Will Schultz led the Sabercats scoring efforts, as Hawley drained 29, and Schultz pitched in 27 points of his own.

OVERVIEW

• Result: Maranatha 87-84 Barclay 
• Venue: Kansas Christian College
• Location: Overland Park, Kansas.
• Attendance: 100
• Record: MBU (1-0)

STORY 
Through most of the first half, both teams seemed to be fairly evenly matched and neither team was able to take a significant lead. However, just prior to the first half, the Sabercats managed to take a 43-33 lead going into halftime. Will Schultz led the Sabercats with 18 points, making all four free throw opportunities he was given.

Fast forward to the second half and the Sabercats managed to extend their lead to 20 points. However, with 7 minutes left in the game, the Bears mounted a comeback. With one minute left in the game, the bears were within 4 points of the Sabercats who held on to their narrowing lead. The Sabercats managed to hold off the Bears, with just a 3 point margin. James Hawley scored a team-leading 18 points in the second half, 10 of which came from free throws.

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Maranatha Starters: 3- Northern, 4- Price (C), 13- Hawley (C), 14- Cleveland, 30- Schultz 

STATS

• Schultz - 32 points, 2 steals (career highs), first double double of the season
• Hawley - 24 points, 9 rebounds (career highs)
• Cleveland - 14 points, 5 rebounds (career highs)
• Price - 11 points, 5 rebounds, 6 assists, 4 steals (career highs)
• This is the first time the Sabercats have faced the Bears.

OPPONENTS

• Barclay competes in the Midwest Christian College Conference (NCCAA DII).
• Barclay finished the 23'-24' season with a record of 3-25.

NEXT

The Sabercats travel to Central Christian College of the Bible tomorrow for a tipoff at 3:00 PM Central. Follow at mbusabercats.com/schedule.