First Half Woes Bury Eagles Vs Maranatha
By Loretta Gamboe, Staff Writer
ANKENY, Iowa—Despite a strong start to the game, the Eagles fell to 5-12 on the season Saturday afternoon as they lost to the Maranatha Baptist Sabercats 90-54. The Sabercats shot 49.3% from the field and grabbed 46 rebounds, while the Eagles shot just 34.6% and had 29 rebounds.
In the first five minutes of the game, the Eagles looked strong, grabbing an early 9-2 lead. The Sabercats battled back to regain the lead at 12-11 with 12:33 remaining in the first half and closed the half on a 23-3 run, burying the Eagles in a 43-17 hole they could never recover from. Faith made just 5 of 23 baskets in the first half (21.7%) while Maranatha shot a blistering 52.8% from the floor (68% inside the three-point arc).
The second half was much more respectable for Faith, offensively, as they more than doubled their first-half scoring output with 37 points on 44.8% shooting. The defense gave up 47 though, and Maranatha's lead blossomed to 42 points with 11:33 left in the game.
Two Eagles scored in double digits, led by Kalab Sidlinger with 13 points and Micah Stinson with 10. Eagles' leading scorer, Tanner Van Beek (13.2 ppg) hurt his ankle during the contest and is doubtful for Tuesday's game against Emmaus.
The loss puts the Eagles at 5-12 for the season. They have three games left in the regular season before heading to the MCCC Tournament in Belton, Missouri, starting on February 14.