GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – The Madonna Crusaders Women's Basketball team opened up Wolverine-Hoosier Athletic Conference play by traveling to Grand Rapids to take on the Saints from Aquinas College. The game was controlled by the Saints, but the Crusaders never gave up as they mounted a comeback in the fourth quarter, but the Saints lead was too much.

The Crusaders record now sits at 2-4 overall with a 0-1 conference record, while the Saints improve to .500 and 1-0 in conference play.

HOW IT HAPPENED:

• The Crusaders started the game pretty even as both teams started off hot, but the Saints defense locked down and the offensive kept hot as they expanded the first quarter lead to 24-15.
• In the second quarter the Saints went on a 11-6 run to open the quarter to expand the lead to as much as 20 by the end of the quarter for a halftime lead of 49-19.
• The second half was even again as the Crusader offense caught fire as they were able to out score the Saints by a score of 41-35 as they attempted the comeback.
• In the second half the Crusaders were led in scoring by Hannah Reinhold (12 points), Sydney Brown and Victoria Guardiola (both with 9 points)

INSIDE THE NUMBERS:

• 13: Brown led the team with 20 points, 4 rebounds, and tied for the team for second with three steals on the day
• 40+: The Crusaders finished with 43 rebounds including 18 offensive and 25 rebounds. While the Cougars with 45 rebounds including 14 offensive and 31 defensive.
• 14:  The Blue and Gold recorded 14 steals on the day as opposed to nine for the Saints
• 32: Guardiola was second on the team with 13 points, 3 rebounds and 2 steals

UP NEXT:

• The Crusaders will continue conference play as they will travel to Lourdes University to take on the Grey Wolves on Wednesday, November 20 at 6 PM.
• Live coverage if available will be posted to mucrusaders.com.

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