MOUNT VERNON, Ohio – The Madonna Crusaders Women's Basketball team traveled down to Mount Vernon, Ohio for their season opener matchup against Mount Vernon Nazarene. The Crusaders kept it close throughout the first half but eventually the Cougars pulled away for the 76-52 victory.

HOW IT HAPPENED:

• The Cougars started the game on a 8-2 run in the first five minutes of the game. But the Crusaders turned it on in the last five as they scored 11 out of the last 19 with scoring from Sydney Brown, Claire LaRoux and Naomi Davis.
• In the second quarter neither team could get anything to go until the five minute mark, when the Cougars extended their lead with a 14-2 run with one minute remaining in the first half. 
• The first minutes of the third quarter was close as the Cougars only outscored the Crusaders by one point, but the Cougars then pulled ahead with a 16-8 run to finish the quarter.
• The fourth quarter is where the Cougars was able to fully blow open the game as they won the quarter by a score of 22-14. 

INSIDE THE NUMBERS:

• 13: Davis led the team with 25 points, 4 assists, and tied for the team lead with seven rebounds over the course of the game.
• 40+: The Crusaders finished with 40 rebounds including eight offensive and 32 rebounds. While the Cougars with 45 rebounds including 13 offensive and 32 defensive.
• 42%:  The Blue and Gold shot the ball at a 42% clip in the third quarter which was the highest percentage throughout each of the quarters
• 5: Hannah Reinhold was second on the team with 12 points and 6 rebounds throughout the first game.

UP NEXT:

• The Crusaders travel to Richmond, Ind. to participate in the First Bank Richmond Classic as they will first face off against Indiana University East on Friday, November 1 at 2 PM.
• Live coverage if available will be posted to mucrusaders.com.

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