LIMA, Ohio – Madonna University Crusaders women's basketball team traveled down to Lim, Ohio for their latest game of the season against the Racers of Northwestern Ohio. The Crusader's defense could not shut down the Racer offense that was firing on all cylinders as they shot upwards of 46% for the game. The final score for the game was 72-46 in the Racers favor.

The Crusaders record is now 3-18 and 1-12 in the conference, while the Racers record improves to 7-15 and 4-9 in conference play.

HOW IT HAPPENED:

• Both teams were able to come out of the gate quickly as both teams were tied at nine on baskets from Victoria Guardiola, Sydney Brown, Megan Aho, and Paige Boden. But the Racers ended up finishing the quarter on an 8-4 run to lead the game 17-13 at the quarter break.
• UNOH started the second on a quick 7-0 run that brought the lead-up to 11. Back-to-back baskets from Claire LeRoux and Brown brought the score to within seven. Both teams went back and forth throughout the rest of the half. The Racers led by 12 at the half.
• The second half started quickly as there were six scores by the two teams in the first two minutes with Guardiola and Megan Aho each hit a three as a part of that run. A run though in the second half of the quarter for UNOH gave them as much as a 20 point lead. 
• A 6-2 run for Madonna on baskets from Emily Pendred and Brown. Northwestern Ohio went on a 9-0 run following that brought the lead back up to 20. Over the remaining part of the final period, the teams battled back and forth until the final buzzer.

INSIDE THE NUMBERS:

• 3: The Crusaders had three players in the double-digit range for points, while being led by Guardiola with 13 points.
• 43: The Crusaders finished with 43 rebounds including 20 offensive and 23 defensive rebounds, leading the Crusaders was Aho with 8 rebounds. While the Gray Wolves also recorded 50 rebounds including 13 offensive and 37 defensive and were led by Mary Liedel with 8 rebounds.
• 10:  The Blue and Gold created nine turnovers from steals on the night with Aho having four steals.
• 40: The Blue and Gold were able to hit the paint as they tallied 40 of their 46 points in the paint as opposed to the Racers 32.

MILESTONE WATCH:

• Boden currently sits at second in blocks in a season with 55 and is two blocks away from the top spot.

UP NEXT:

• The Crusaders will continue for the middle game of the road trip when they travel to Adrian to go up against the Saints of Siena Heights on Wednesday, Jan. 29 at 6 PM.
• Live coverage if available will be posted to mucrusaders.com

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