Box Score GRAND RAPIDS, Mich.— For the first time since 2019, the men's basketball team has taken down a top-10-ranked NCCAA team, as Maranatha beat Kuyper 72-70 in dramatic fashion on Saturday.
To add to the excitement, James Hawley obliterated his previous 24-point career high by putting up 29 points for the Sabercats on the night.
OVERVIEW
- Result: Maranatha 72-70 Kuyper
- Venue: Boonstra Gymnasium - Kuyper College
- Location: Grand Rapids, Michigan
- Event: NCCAA Midwest Region - Regular Season
- Records: MBU (3-13), KC (8-10)
STORY
In the opening minutes of the game, both teams looked fairly evenly matched, as neither could take a substantial lead. Finally, in the 10th minute, the Sabercats broke free, with a pair of 3-pointers by Brett Northern and James Hawley, followed by a 2-pointer from Christian Cleveland. The Sabercats now had an 8-point lead and had no plans of giving it up any time soon. The Cougars repeatedly knocked on the door, but couldn't quite get over the hump to take the lead. With one minute left in the half, the Sabercats had a 7-point lead, until Ben Price hit another 3- pointer to send the Sabercats to the locker room with a 10-point advantage.
Hawley started the second half with a pair of free throws to put the Sabercats on the board first. But the Cougars answered with an 8-point scoring flurry to cut the Sabercats' lead to just 4 points. The second half was much tighter than the first, with the Cougars consistently trailing by 5 or fewer points. Fast forward to the end of the half with just 12 seconds on the clock, and it was a tied ball game, 70-70. Hawley was sent to the line as he was fouled, giving him a chance to put the Sabercats up by two. He would make the first free throw, but miss his second, giving the Sabercats no room for error. After two missed shots on the other end of the court, the Sabercats took home a barn burner on the road from region rivals to close out their weekend road trip.
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Maranatha Starters: 4- Price, 10- Shank, 13- Hawley, 21- Brock, 30- Schultz
STATS
- Last time: Kuyper defeated Maranatha 78-75 last year
- Series: The Sabercats now lead the all-time series 9-8
OPPONENTS
- Kuyper competes in the NCCAA Midwest Region alongside Maranatha
- Kuyper finished the '24-25 season with a 13-15 record
NEXT
The Sabercats travel to Chicago to play Moody next Thursday for a 6 pm tip. Follow at mbusabercats.com/schedule.
