THE BASICS
Score: #24 Madonna University 68, #RV Indiana Tech 83
Record: MU (23-9), IT (21-11)
Location: MU Activities Center - Livonia, Mich.
LIVONIA, Mich. – The 24th-ranked and second-seeded Madonna University men's basketball team got off to a slow start and never caught fire in an 83-68 loss to third-seed Indiana Tech in the Wolverine-Hoosier Athletic Conference Men's Basketball Tournament semifinal inside the MU Activities Center on Saturday afternoon.
"They outplayed us in every phase," said Crusaders Head Coach Noel Emenhiser. "They were much more prepared than we were. I didn't have us in a position to succeed tonight."
The biggest differential in the box score came from beyond the 3-point arc where the Warriors from Fort Wayne shot 40.7 percent (11-of-27) while the Crusaders finished 3-of-29 (10.3%). The Blue and Gold won just about everywhere else as they outrebounded the visitors 42-37, had more points in the paint (38-26), points off turnovers (16-14), second chance points (9-4) and fast break points (12-6).
"They shot the ball well and we didn't. We didn't defend to the level we are capable, got in a big hole early and weren't able to dig out. They rely on a good ball-screen game and they were able to get where they wanted to go, especially in the first half, and we struggled with our screen defense. Then our offense didn't move the ball at the level we usually do and it was hard to come back," added Emenhiser.
To his point, Indiana Tech finished with 15 assists while the Crusaders matched their season-low with six (84-80 OT loss to Siena Heights University on Dec. 8). Dwight Burton led all scorers with 33 points (11-of-25) while no other Crusader finished in double figures. Mark Mettie netted seven points to go with 10 rebounds and three steals while Jonathan Swift (1-of-7) and Joshua Reynolds (3-of-10) each finished with six points.
Indiana Tech scored the first seven points in the contest and 22-of-27 to take a 17-point lead halfway through the first half. Back-to-back jumpers from Malik Eichler and Dwight Burton cut the deficit to 13, 33-20, with 3:00 to play, but the Warriors scored the last nine points in the period to take a 42-20 lead into the half.
The Warriors opened the second half on a 16-9 run to push the lead to a game-high 29, 58-29. The Crusaders were able to get the score down to 15 numerous times, but couldn't go on a big run of their own to get any closer.
UP NEXT
- With Indiana Tech facing Cornerstone in the WHAC Championship, both teams receive automatic bids to the national tournament. The Crusaders await their fate with the NAIA selection show on Wednesday, Feb. 27 at 6 p.m. EST. Check back for viewing information.
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