LANSING, Mich. — The Sabercats pulled through when it mattered most tonight, taking an 83-67 win over #4 Emmaus University in the first round of the NCCAA Midwest Region Tournament.

Grant Brock had a career night, posting a career-best 17 points and almost matching his career-high mark of rebounds, finishing with 13 on the night. But Brock wasn't the only contributor - as all five of the Sabercats' starters got to double figures on the night.

With the win, the Sabercats advance to tomorrow night's NCCAA Midwest Region Semifinal against the #1-seeded Great Lakes Christian College Crusaders, scheduled for 7:00 p.m. in Lansing, Michigan.

OVERVIEW

• Result: #5 Maranatha 83-67 #4 Emmaus 
• Venue: Doty Center, Great Lakes Christian College
• Location: Lansing, Mich.
• Attendance: -
• Records: MBU (4-21), EU (14-12)

STORY 

Chris Orsello set the tone in the first possession for Maranatha, nailing a three with three seconds on the shot clock to tip the scales in favor of the underdogs. Orsello had Maranatha's first five points, and the Sabercats shared the load to get the game off and running - a story that was consistent the entire night. Jonathan Fuller bounced off the bench to hit a three-pointer with 8:44 on the clock, giving the Sabercats not only a 12-point lead, but a surge of belief that came with it - Emmaus may have swept the series in the regular season, but this was Regionals.

In the first half, the Sabercats shot over 50 percent from the field, taking a 44-35 lead into the locker room in a game that had the regular-season series well in the rear-view mirror.

The Sabercats' defense was the difference-maker in the second half, as they limited the Eagles to shooting just 7-35 - exactly 20 percent - from the floor and just 2-12 from distance. The scoreline was never in doubt in the final 20 minutes of the regional contest, as the Sabercats frustrated the Eagles at every turn, keeping the lead at double digits for almost the entire second half. The Sabercats' secret on the night was a balanced offense, as every man in the starting five hit double figures - that was a first for this season for the Sabercats.  
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Maranatha Starters: 2- Cox (C), 13- Hawley, 21- Brock, 24- Orsello, 30- Schultz

STATS

• Box Score
• Brock: 17 points, 13 rebounds, 2 blocks
• Brock: second double-double this season
• Will Schultz: 14 points, 6 rebounds, 7 assists (season high)
• Last time: Emmaus swept the regular-season series
• Series: Maranatha leads the series 41-10

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

NEXT

The Sabercats will face the #1-seeded Great Lakes Christian College Crusaders tomorrow night at 7:00 p.m. EST. Follow at mbusabercats.com/schedule.