THE BASICS
Score: Madonna 72, Roosevelt 85
Record: MU (11-6), RU (10-6)
Location: Lillian and Larry Goodman Center - Chicago, Ill.

CHICAGO, Ill.– For the third straight game and 11th time this season, Dwight Burton netted 20-plus points and led the team in scoring in an 85-72 loss to Roosevelt University at the RU New Year's Classic on Saturday evening. The Crusaders got off to a fast start as Jonathan Swift and Burton netted back-to-back 3-pointers for a 6-0 lead. A Malik Eichler three tied the score at nine, but a 19-3 run by the host Lakers put the home team ahead 16. A pair of Mark Mettie free throws cut the deficit to seven, but the Lakers took a 15-point, 44-29 lead into the break.

A 12-2 run by the Blue and Gold early in the second half cut the score to 57-51. After Roosevelt pushed the lead back to double figures, a Burton layup cut the advantage to eight, but RU went 6-for-6 from the free throw line in the final 1:30 for the 85-72 final.

TURNING POINT

• Roosevelt used a 19-3 run in the first half to turn a 9-9 tie into a 28-12, 16-point deficit for the Crusaders

INDIVIDUAL LEADERS

• Burton netted his 21 points on 7-of-13 shooting which included a 4-for-8 day from long range and grabbed a team-best six rebounds. Swift finished with 18 while Reynolds added 14 and dished out four assists. Mettie netted seven points and grabbed five boards.

INSIDE THE BOX SCORE

• While both teams committed 15 turnovers, the Lakers scored 29 points off them while MU netted just 17
• Roosevelt converted 14-of-15 free throws in the second half
• Madonna shot 48 percent from beyond the arc as they finished 12-of-25 for the game

UP NEXT

• The Crusaders return to the court in the new year as they play host to UM-Dearborn on Wednesday, Jan. 2 at 7:30 p.m.
• Live coverage will be available via the Madonna Athletics Network at www.mucrusaders.com/live.

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