LIVONIA, Mich. – The Madonna Crusaders Women's Basketball team went up against No. 5 Knights from Marian University to open up the 2020 calendar year. A big first quarter for the Knights was the difference in the game as the Knights were able to open up the game early and leave with a 75-43 win. 

The Crusaders record now sits at 2-13, while the Knights record will now improve to 13-2.

HOW IT HAPPENED:

• The Knights started the game quick and on fire, as they were able to jump out to a 22-2 lead, after starting out on a 15-0 run which was broken up after a Paige Boden jumper. Macie Lively was the top scorer for the Knights with eight. Leading the Crusaders in the quarter was Boden. 
• The Crusaders were able to gain some momentum starting out the second quarter with an 11-2 run, on three 3-point baskets from Victoria Guardiola, to bring them within 11. Leading the Crusaders was Guardiola.
• The third quarter saw even scoring from both sides as they battled back and forth as Marian was able to keep their lead. Guardiola and Davis both were able to sink baskets from long-range. Leading the Crusaders in the quarter was Davis and Guardiola.
• The fourth quarter was much of the same as both teams were able to knock down their shots. The Crusaders were able to hit a couple of threes from Claire LeRoux and Megan Aho and were able to get a couple of fast break points in the quarter as well. Leading the Crusaders in the quarter was Aho.

INSIDE THE NUMBERS:

• 32: Guardiola had a big day for the Crusaders as she tallied up 11 points to go along with five rebounds and two steals.
• 39+: The Crusaders finished with 31 rebounds including 9 offensive and 22 defensive rebounds, leading the Crusaders was Sydney Brown and Emily Pendred with 7 rebounds apiece. While the Cougars also recorded 42 rebounds including 11 offensive and 31 defensive and were led by Imani Guy with 9 rebounds.
• 53.8:  The Blue and Gold were hot from three-point range as they were shooting at a 53.8% clip, while the Knights shot the three at 38.1%.
• 21: Davis had a big day for the Crusaders as she tallied up 11 points to go along with two assists and three steals.

UP NEXT:

• The Crusaders will go back into conference play when they travel to Lawrence Tech University to face off against the Blue Devils on Saturday, Jan. 4 beginning at 4 PM.
• Live coverage if available will be posted to mucrusaders.com

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