The Kuyper College Men's Basketball team finished up their regular season on Saturday, as they took on Maranatha Baptist University in a rematch between these two Midwest Regional teams. Kuyper lost a heart breaker to Maranatha in mid-to-late January. Kuyper came into this one understanding the importance of ending the regular season with a win and avenging their previous loss to Maranatha, but things did not go as planned. Kuyper lost to the Sabercats on Saturday in a low-scoring affair, 59-50. 

Kuyper's offense struggled all afternoon in this one. 10 minutes into the first half, Kuyper had scored just 6 points. At the half, the Cougars scored just 18 points. However, Maranatha's first half offense struggled as well, so the game was in reach at the half. Kuyper trailed just 24-18 going into the second half. Neither team made a three in the first half, as Kuyper was 0/9 from three, while Maranatha Baptist was 0-15 from three. The cold shooting continued throughout the game, as Kuyper shot just 3/20 from three, while Maranatha was 2/23 from three. 

Rebounding and turnovers were a difference in the game. Though the margins were not drastic, Kuyper lost the rebounding battle, as well as the turnover battle. Between losing the rebounding and turnover battles, coupled with the poor shooting, it was too much to overcome for Kuyper. 

Juniors Nic Yorke and Austin Stone led the Cougars with 8 points each. Stone added 7 rebounds to go along with his 8 points. Antwann Woods added 7 points and 8 rebounds, while Elijah Searcy also scored 7 points for the Cougars.

Kuyper's regular season has come to an end with an 11-15 record. The Cougars will now turn their sights to the Midwest Regional Tournament, where the Cougars will look to earn the first Regional Championship in Kuyper's history. The tournament begins on February 26th, with the Regional Championship being on February 28th. Emmaus University is hosting the tournament on their campus in Dubuque, Iowa.

Stay tuned for updates on the Midwest Regional Tournament.