FOND DU LAC, Wis. – Marian overcame poor three-point shooting in the first half to overwhelm the Crusaders in a dominating 79-49 win.
Both teams exchanged punches in the first half, with Maranatha taking their largest lead of the first half at 24-17.
Junior guard Autumn Peotter (Waupaca, Wis.) was a major reason as she was 3-5 from beyond the arc and 3-6 from the field for nine points.
The Sabres clawed their way back to even the score, 27-27 and setting up for a nearly unstoppable second half.
The Sabres shot 10-13 from three-point range and shot 56% to put an exclamation point on a dominant performance.
Sophomore center Laci Peterson (Chillicothe, Ill.) finished with 11 points, 10 rebounds and four blocks, while junior forward Torey DeLozier (Watertown, Wis.) finished with seven points and eight rebounds.
Junior guard Kristin Morrison (Jefferson, Wis.) nearly recorded a double-double with nine points and 10 rebounds.
The Crusaders are at Concordia Chicago on Saturday, February 4 at 2:00 p.m.