THE BASICS
Score: #21 Madonna University 59, #11 Marian University 83
Record: MU (23-10), Marian (26-7)
Location: Sanford Pentagon - Sioux Falls, S.D.
SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – The 21st-ranked Madonna University men's basketball team has seen their historic season come to an end following a 59-83 loss to NAIA No. 11 Marian University at the Sanford Pentagon on Thursday afternoon. The round of 32 loss eliminates the Crusaders from the national tournament and concludes their season with a 23-10 record, while the Knights advance to the round of 16 with a record of 26-7.
"We ran into a really great team today. We have to give them a lot of credit because they were able to do the things in the second half that they wanted to and we just couldn't deter them from their strengths." - Head Coach Noel Emenhiser
The difference in the game came in the second half, as the Crusaders were not able to break within seven points of the Knights lead, being outscored 25-43 in the final 20 minutes of play. A hard fought first half saw the Blue and Gold trailing 34-40, although the second half was not as friendly as MU shot 30.4 percent (7-for-23) from field, 40 percent (4-for-10) from beyond the 3-point arc and 53.8 percent (7-for-13) from the free throw line. Conversely, the Knights got hot, shooting 60 percent (18-for-30) from the field, 71.4 percent (5-for-7) from deep, and 66.7 percent (2-for-3) from the free throw line.
Dwight Burton and Jonathan Swift paced the Crusaders offense as the only two players to finish with double digit points, combining for 29 points and nine rebounds. Josh Reynolds and Mark Mettie each added nine points in the contest, while Malik Eichler (5), Antonio Capaldi (4), and Caleb Drumm (3) rounded out the scoring for the Blue and Gold.
The Crusaders jumped out to an early 9-6 lead before a 10-0 run by the Knights turned the tables and put them ahead 16-9 with 14:56 remaining in the first half. As the two teams traded both baskets and leads over the next several minutes, the Crusaders and Knights found themselves tied 29-29 with 5:40 remaining. Marian concluded the final minutes of play with an 11-4 run that propelled them to a 40-34 lead at halftime.
The second half did not treat the Crusaders well, as the six point deficit quickly turned into a 13 point deficit within the first two minutes. A 3-pointer by Reynolds and a pair of free throws by Swift pulled MU within seven points at the 16:11 mark, although that would be as close to a comeback as the Crusaders would get, being outscored 35-18 in the final 16 minutes of the game.
"I'm really proud of this group and what they have been able to accomplish this season. The standard that they set for the program in regards to the way we are going to play night in and night out, and more importantly how we are going to act in the classroom and in the community is truly amazing. I'm just really proud of this group and this team, and the direction that the program is headed in." - Added Emenhiser
Crusader Nation would like to thank Jonathan Swift, Antonio Capaldi, Clarke Lamb, and Thomas Simmons for their contributions to the Madonna men's basketball program. Their leadership and determination will leave a lasting mark on the program, setting the standard for those to come.
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