Box Score LIVONIA, Mich. – The Madonna University Crusaders women's basketball team returned home for the first game of a three-game homestand and went up against the Cardinals of Concordia University. Back and forth scoring between the two teams led to a hard-fought overtime loss 81-72. 

The Crusaders record is now 3-15 and 1-9 in the conference, while the Cardinals record improves to 12-6 and 7-4 in conference play.

HOW IT HAPPENED:

• Both teams came out hot in the quarter with the Crusaders jumping out to a quick 4-1 lead on baskets from Sydney Brown and Emily Pendred. The Cardinals then proceeded to go on an 8-0 run both teams would keep going back and forth until a tie at 12 on a basket from Victoria Guardiola and MU would proceed to finish the quarter on a 6-2 run. Leading the Crusaders in the quarter was Guardiola. 
• The second quarter swung the way of the Cardinals as they won the quarter 17-12. Brown had a streak of six straight free throws in the quarter. Leading the Crusaders was Brown.
• Guardiola gave the Crusaders the lead once again in the first 40 seconds of the half with a 3-point basket. Both teams were able to make their shots as both teams scored 16 points and the game was still one point differential. Leading the Crusaders was Brown.
• Concordia started the quarter on a 6-1 run. After a 1:30 drought from both teams the Crusaders fought back to tie the game at 59 with two straight three's from Paige Boden on back to back possessions and then both teams went on mini scoring runs till the Crusaders had a two-point lead taken away with 12 seconds remaining on a basket from Katie Snow. Brown missed a jumper at the buzzer that would have ended the game. Leading the Crusaders was Brown and Boden.
• The Crusaders came out shooting hot and had two layups in the first 14 seconds. Naomi Davis made a three on the ensuing possession but that was as close as the Crusaders would be for the remainder of overtime as the Cardinals ended the game on a 12-4 run. Leading the Crusaders was Davis.

INSIDE THE NUMBERS:

• 13: Brown tallied 22 points in the overtime loss and was a season-high 14-14 from the charity stripe while adding two steals on defense.
• 39: The Crusaders finished with 39 rebounds including 9 offensive and 30 defensive rebounds, leading the Crusaders was Megan Aho with 13 rebounds. While the Cardinals also recorded 41 rebounds including 14 offensive and 27 defensive and were led by J'May Simmons with 9 rebounds.
• 42.4:  The Blue and Gold shot at a 42.4% clip from the floor while the Cardinals hit 45.5% of their shots.
• 34: The Blue and Gold were pounding the paint as they were able to score 34 of their 72 points in the paint as opposed to the 50 points in the point for the Wolverines. 

CRUSADER VISION

UP NEXT:

• The Crusaders will invite the Saints of Aquinas College to the MU Activities Center on Saturday, Jan. 18 with a 1 PM tip. 
• Live coverage will be available via the Madonna Athletics Network at mucrusaders.com/live.

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