LIVONIA, Mich. – On a snowy weekend, the Madonna University Crusaders women's basketball team invited the Saints from Aquinas College into the MU Activities Center for a conference matchup and the second game of a three-game homestand. Both teams were able to have a strong first half but a solid second half from the visitors was the difference in the game. 

The Crusaders record is now 3-16 and 1-10 in the conference, while the Saints record improves to 12-8 and 8-3 in conference play.

HOW IT HAPPENED:

• The Crusaders started the game hot as they were able to get out to a quick 7-0 lead in the first 2:32 as Sydney Brown was able to knock down a 3 and hit a jumper and Megan Aho was able to get the steal and take it back for a layup. Throughout the next six minutes, the Saints crawled back to take the lead, 13-12, before the end of the quarter. Leading the Crusaders in the quarter was Brown. 
• Starting out the second quarter MU got three quick steals and were able to score on a layup from Brown. The two teams went back and forth as Victoria Guardiola and Claire LeRoux hit some big shots and brought the Crusaders to within three at the half. Leading the Crusaders was Guardiola.
• The third quarter was when the Saints were able to get out in front and keep their lead. The first couple minutes were the teams battling back and forth and Paige Boden was able to get five quick points on a couple of jumpers. The Saints though blew the quarter open and ended with an 11-2 run. Leading the Crusaders was Boden.
• The Crusaders, who were down by 11, would not give up as they got within seven on a couple of shots from Guardiola and Aho and were within nine but the Saints were too strong as they were able to end the game on a 9-0 run. Leading the Crusaders was Brown and Guardiola.

INSIDE THE NUMBERS:

• 3: Aho tallied 11 points and tacked on seven rebounds, four assists, and seven steals.
• 27: The Crusaders finished with 27 rebounds including 8 offensive and 19 defensive rebounds, leading the Crusaders was Aho and Brown both with 7 rebounds. While the Saints also recorded 52 rebounds including 15 offensive and 37 defensive and were led by Ally Fredrickson with 11 rebounds.
• 32.3:  The Blue and Gold shot at a 32.3% clip from the floor while the Saints hit 43.6% of their shots.
• 17: The Blue and Gold were making good on the Saint's mistakes as they had 17 points off of turnovers. While the visitors had 19.

UP NEXT:

• The Crusaders will invite the Gray Wolves of Lourdes University to the MU Activities Center on Wednesday, Jan. 22 with a 5:30 PM tip. 
• Live coverage will be available via the Madonna Athletics Network at mucrusaders.com/live.

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