LIVONIA, Mich. – Behind a program record performance, sophomore forward Chris Dierker led Madonna men's basketball to a 107-67 victory over Marygrove College on Saturday (Feb. 6) inside the Activities Center. Dierker corralled 19 rebounds, breaking the Crusaders' program record by two boards, to lift the Blue and Gold to the 40-point home win over the Mustangs.
Dierker (Canton, Mich./Salem High School) tallied an equal 19 points, three shy of Khalil Malone's team-leading 22 as the Crusaders eclipsed the century mark for the first time since Nov. 8, 2013 when they routed Clearwater Christian College by a 103-53 final tally.
The Crusaders, now 13-13 overall and 10-8 in the WHAC, were on a mission from the opening tip, dropping the Mustangs to 4-22 on the season (4-14 WHAC). The win avenges an early season setback to the Mustangs, a team that is currently one game out of the WHAC playoff picture if the season ended today.
The Crusaders led by as many as 22 points in the first half when Zel Williams (Detroit, Mich./Schoolcraft College) hit a deep three off of an Andrew Myers (Clarkston, Mich./Clarkston High School) assist, lighting up the scoreboard to the tune of a 41-19 advantage for the hosts with 6:40 remaining in the opening stanza. The Mustangs ended the half strong, outscoring the Crusaders 17-10 over the final 6:40 to cut the Blue and Gold's lead to 51-36 at the halftime break.
Dierker pulled down 16 rebounds in the first half alone to pace the Crusaders effort over the game's opening 20 minutes.
The Crusaders pulled away in the second half behind a combined 24 points in the frame from Dierker and Malone (Pontiac, Mich./Mott High School). The pair paced a 60-percent shooting effort in the second half, helping the Crusaders enjoy an efficient offensive outing that led to a 56-28 points in the paint advantage.
In all, the Crusaders outshot the Mustangs, 55-percent (42-of-76) to 35-percent (25-of-70) over the course the contest.
Dierker's 19-rebound effort clipped the program's previous record of 17 boards, achieved on four separate occasions by former Madonna standouts D.J. Bridges (Nov. 10, 2004 vs. Marygrove), Narvin Russaw (Nov. 15, 1997 vs. Grace Bible), Kristian Magro (Dec. 28, 1996 vs. Spalding) and Brandon Slone (Dec. 9, 1994 vs. St. Francis).
Freshman forward Clarke Lamb (East China, Mich./St. Clair High School) posted a collegiate career-high 18 points on 9-of-11 shooting. The 18-point performance marks the first time Lamb has reached double digits scoring this season, surpassing his previous high of nine points set on Nov. 7 against Roosevelt (Ill.).
Lamb was followed by senior guard Tyler Stewart (Canton, Mich./Salem High School) with 16 points, five assists and five rebounds.
Isaac Gillum led three Mustangs in double figures with 16 points.
The Crusaders will make the short trip to the campus of Michigan-Dearborn for a 7:30 p.m. WHAC tilt on Wednesday (Feb. 10).
