CHICAGO — The Sabercats' persistence paid off on Saturday afternoon, as they took a 76-69 win at Moody Bible Institute in NCCAA Midwest Region play.

Chris Orsello (16 points) and Will Schultz (11 points) led the way offensively for Maranatha, whose first-half blitz was enough to seal their first win since last semester and snap an 11-game winless run. 

OVERVIEW

• Result: Maranatha 76-69 Moody
• Venue: Solheim Center - Moody Bible Institute
• Location: Chicago, Illinois
• Event: NCCAA Midwest Region - Regular Season
• Attendance: 101
• Records: MBU (2-16), MBI (3-13)

STORY 

Shot selection was the difference-maker in the first half, as the Sabercats connected over 50 percent of their efforts in the opening 20 minutes while limiting the Archers to shooting under 40 percent from the field and 25 percent from downtown. An early 12-2 surge from the Sabercats forced Moody to call a timeout, and the momentum was completely in the Sabercats' favor. A layup from Emmanuel Coffy at the 2:05 mark gave the Sabercats a 21-point edge - their largest of the game - but Moody chipped away at the lead with an 8-0 run to knock the Sabercats' lead down to 39-26 entering halftime.

At the halftime horn, Orsello was leading the way with 8 points, 2 rebounds, and 2 assists, while Schultz had bounced off the bench for 7 points and 2 rebounds. 

In the second half, the Sabercats kept the Archers at arms' length as the game wore on, leading by 19 points with under five minutes to go in the contest. Late turnovers and shots that were just off the mark allowed the Archers to cut the lead to seven with a couple of last-ditch shots late in the game - but it was mere consolation for the hosts as the Sabercats coasted to their first NCCAA Midwest Region win of the 2024-25 season.

Brayden Cox had a quiet first half but led the Sabercats with 9 points in the second. Orsello and Joe Shank kept their contributions steady with 8 points apiece in the half, and Jonathan Fuller had a season-high 8 points in the game when it was all said and done.

For the Archers, Joshua Bartig led the way with 25 points while Demorion Jackson and Marquis Allen hit 14 and 13 points, respectively. 

The Sabercats will look to Saturday, February 15 for the chance at a season sweep over the Archers, as Maranatha will host Moody in Watertown for a 3:00 tip.

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Maranatha Starters: 0- Golliday, 2- Cox (C), 10- Shank, 21-Brock, 24- Orsello

STATS

• MBU shot 49.1 percent from the field
• MBI shot 40.9 percent from the field
• Orsello: 16 points - matches his season-high
• Schultz: 11 points - now has 17 games with double-digit points this season
• Fuller: 8 points - season-high
• Last time: Maranatha defeated Moody 72-61 on February 20, 2024
• Series: Maranatha now leads the all-time series against Moody 58-15
• This game marks the 13th straight win for Maranatha over Moody

OPPONENTS

• Moody competes in the National Christian Collegiate Athletic Association along side Maranatha in the Midwest Region (NCAA Dlll)
• Moody finished the 23'-24' season with a record of 3-20

NEXT

The Sabercats return to Watertown where they will face No. 7 Spurgeon on Tuesday, February 4 at 7:00 P.M. Follow at mbusabercats.com/schedule.