January 23, 2023 | by Ashley Nerat

LEAD

WATERTOWN, Wis. -- Maranatha closes out a 5-game losing streak with a 82-65 win over Moody in a NCCAA North Region match-up. Maranatha is now 3-3 in their conference. 

4 of the 5 Sabercat starters finished in double-digits on day, led by Caleb Moultri who scored 26 points. 

OVERVIEW

• Result: Maranatha 82-65 Moody
• Venue: Gymnasium - Maranatha Baptist University
• Location: Watertown, Wis.
• Attendance: 188
• Records: MBU (3-13), MBI (0-11)

STORY 

After having been on a bit of a cold streak the last few weeks, the Sabercats were finally able to turn things around this last weekend with win against Moody Bible Institute. Caleb Moultrie got things started right away with a layup to put the Sabercats on the board first. A few more layups and a couple early free-throws gave Maranatha a small yet comfortable 7-point lead just five minutes into the game (11-4). 

Still, Moody kept Maranatha on their toes by pushing the ball into the paint offensively and pressuring the ball on defense, resulting in 14 first half Sabercat turnovers. But the Archers' aggressiveness ultimately caused them some trouble, placing three of their starters into foul trouble by the end of the first half and giving Maranatha 19 free-throw opportunties before heading into the lockeroom. 

Coming out of halftime with a 42-36 lead, Josh Davis immediately went to the line for a couple free-throws that were the result of Moody technical that ended the first half. Davis sunk 1-2 to give his team another point before the clock even started. 

Tensions started to rise as the Archers quickly brought the score within three points. But Maranatha refused to give up their lead. The Sabercats score kept rising as the half went on, eventually giving them their biggest lead of the day, 79-59.

Maranatha finished off Moody with a final score of 82-65. Moultrie, Davis, Woodward, and Herbster all finished the with double-digits. Herbster not only set himself a new career-high with 6 assists, but he also achieved his third double-double of the season (16 Points & 14 Rebounds). Mike Mertes also set a new career-high by grabbing 8 rebounds. 

The Sabercats will face off with Moody again in less than two weeks, this time in Chicago. But first, Maranatha will remain at home to face off with Martin Luther for the second time this year. The Sabercats will be looking to settle the score after losing 54-59 to the Knights on January 10th.  

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Maranatha Starters: 0- Woodward, 12- Mertes, 15- Davis, 21- Moultrie, 24- Herbster

STATS

• *Mike Mertes - 8 rebounds 
• *Malachi Herbster - 6 Assists 
  • Double-Double 
    • 14 Rebounds
    • 16 Points
• Box Score
• MBU: 46.2 percent from the field
• MBI: 37.7 percent from the field
• Last time: Maranatha defeated Moody 73-65 on February 23, 2022 in the NCCAA North Region Tournament
• Series: Maranatha leads the all-time series against Moody 53-15

(*)Career-High

OPPONENTS

• Moody competes alongside Maranatha in the National Christian College Athletic Association - North Region (DII)
• Moody finished the '21-'22 season with a 0-14 overall record

NEXT

The Sabercats stay in Watertown to take on Martin Luther on Tuesday, January 24th at 6 p.m. Follow at mbusabercats.com/schedule.