WATERTOWN, Wis. (SabreAthletics.com) – A late three-pointer in the waning moments by Maranatha's Autumn Poetter stunned the visiting Marian University women's basketball team as it led to a 54-52 win for the hosts in Northern Athletics Conference action this evening, Dec. 6.
Two free throws by senior
Alexis Becker extended the Sabre lead to 52-48 inside of a minute to go in regulation. MBBC's Torey DeLozier cut the deficit in half with a quick jumper with 48 seconds left. That forced a Marian timeout which, unfortunately, resulted in a turnover and go-ahead three by Peotter at the other end to put the Crusaders in front by one.
With one chance left,
Anna Smit's jumper was turned aside with three seconds left, but Becker gathered the offensive board only to see her follow-up fall short of falling down. A tack-on free throw with less than a second remaining accounted for the two-point win.
Maranatha picks up its first conference victory of the season to move to 4-2 overall, 1-2 in the NAC. Meanwhile, Marian falls to 4-3 (1-3 NAC) in its third single-digit conference loss of the season, all by six points or less.
Becker led all scorers with 22 points on 6-of-15 shooting, including 1-for-3 from downtown and 9-for-11 from the charity stripe. She also added eight rebounds, four offensive, in the losing effort.
Sarah Albert added 11 points, while
Elizabeth Zutz chipped in 10.
As a squad, the Sabres shot just 17-of-59 (28.8 percent) from the floor, including 4-of-28 from three-point range. The Crusaders made just as many field goals, including five from downtown, but on 15 fewer attempts for a 38.6 percent clip in the contest.
Maranatha led 19-16 at halftime, leading by as many as six points in the second half before fending off the Sabres for the two-point victory. Peotter led the hosts with 19 points on 6-of-9 shooting and 3-of-5 from three-point land. Laci Peterson added 10 points.
Half of Marian's 52 points came in the paint and 23 points came off of 31 turnovers forced by the defense. Four Sabres finished with multiple steals in the game, led by Albert's four.
The Sabres will play their second of three games this week when they host Edgewood College in another midweek NAC contest this Thursday, Dec. 8. Tip-off is slated for 7 p.m. inside Sadoff Gymnasium.
