LIVONIA, Mich. – The final home game of the calendar year saw the Madonna Crusaders Women's Basketball team go up against the Fighting Saints of the No. 9 team St. Francis (Ill.). After a defensive battle in the first half the Fighting Saints caught fire from behind the three-point line and were able to pull out to a big second half lead to down the Crusaders 78-49.

The Crusaders record now sits at 2-11, while the Fighting Saints record will now improve to 10-3.

HOW IT HAPPENED:

• Both teams were able to score quick throughout the first quarter as the Crusaders were able to jump out to a 11-6 lead through the first five minutes of the game. As they were able to use nine points from Victoria Guardiola. The Fighting Saints were able to gain their first lead of the game with 2:31 remaining and held onto a one-point lead at the quarter break. Leading the Crusaders in the quarter was Guardiola.
• The Fighting Saints defense stiffened up in the second quarter as they held the Crusaders to a total of five points. After a couple St. Francis baskets the Crusaders were able to get back to within one after a Naomie Davis three and a  Kennedy Carrier layup. But the Fighting Saints scored seven straight to end the half with an eight-point lead. Leading the Crusaders was Davis.
• The third quarter is when Leah Sims was able to catch fire as she rattled off four straight threes which opened the game up to a 16 point difference. Baskets from Claire LeRoux, Sydney Brown, and Davis were trying to keep up with the Fighting Saints offense. Leading the Crusaders in the quarter was LeRoux.
• The Crusaders were trying to keep up with the Fighting Saints offense in the fourth quarter. Both teams went back and forth the quarter, but the defense was too much for the Crusaders to handle. Leading the Crusaders in the quarter was Guardiola.

INSIDE THE NUMBERS:

• 32: Guardiola once again had a big day for the Crusaders as she recorded her 16 points, two assists and one steal. 
• 37+: The Crusaders finished with 37 rebounds including 9 offensive and 27 defensive rebounds, leading the Crusaders was Emily Pendred with 8 rebounds apiece. While the Fighting Saints recorded 34 rebounds including 11 offensive and 23 defensive and were led by Andriana Acosta with 7 rebounds.
• 33.3%:  The Blue and Gold shot the ball at a 33.3% clip while shooting 33.3% from three-point range. The Warriors shot 44.3% throughout the game and 61.1% from deep.
• 21: Davis also had a big day as she tallied 12 points with 6 rebounds on the afternoon

UP NEXT:

• The Crusaders will play their final game of the 2019 calendar year as they will travel to Spring Arbor to face the Cougars on Thursday, December 19 with a 7 PM tipoff.
• Live coverage if available will be posted to mucrusaders.com

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