THE BASICS
Score: #22 Madonna University 89, Siena Heights Saints 58
Records: Madonna (17-7, 9-5 WHAC), SHU (10-13, 7-7 WHAC)
Location: SHU Fieldhouse - Adrian, Mich.
Turning Point: 33-12 MU run to close out the first half
 

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ADRIAN, Mich. - A slow start for the 22nd-ranked Madonna University men's basketball team was quickly overcome by a 33-12 run in the first half as the Crusaders dominated Siena Heights University in the SHU Fieldhouse 89-58 on Wednesday night.

Coming off consecutive losses for the first time in 2020, the Blue and Gold led early, 6-2, withstood a run by the home team, then used a 21-point run over the final 10 minutes of the first half to take a commanding 21-point, 45-24, lead at the break.

The Saints never got closer than 19 points in the rest of the way as Madonna controlled the game and led by as many as 38 points, 83-45, on a pair of Mark Mettie free throws en route to the 31-point win.

INSIDE THE NUMBERS

• Dwight Burton led all scorers with 31 points and dished out four assists while Joshua Reynolds added 29 points and grabbed six rebounds
• Mettie finished with 15 points and tallied a team-best eight rebounds to with a career-high six blocks which are tied for second-most in a single game in MU history
• Madonna shot 56.7 percent (34-of-60) from the field and 41.7 percent (10-of-24) from the 3-point arc while the defense limited the Saints to 22-of-64 (34.4%) from the floor and 3-of-22 (13.6%) from long range
• The Crusaders are now 21-35 all-time against SHU and split the season series with the Adrian program after dropping the matchup on Nov. 30 in Livonia, 74-72

NOEL'S NOTIONS

• "This was the most complete game that we have played this season. As a group, we had an excellent focus on defense and did a good job of limiting their transition and second-chance opportunities. Offensively, we were aggressive but kept the ball moving and earned second chances with great rebounding. We had multiple players star in their roles; Josh and Dwight were outstanding and played with poise and confidence, Mark was fantastic defensively and on the boards at both ends and every member of the team gave the kind of effort we needed against a very good opponent." - Head Coach Noel Emenhiser

MILESTONE WATCH

• Madonna is six wins shy of 300 in the program's history
• Reynolds passed Mike Maryanski (1,384, 1994-99) for eighth on the all-time scoring list with 1,408 points and is 75 shy of Chris Dierker's mark of 1483
  • Only five players in program history have scored 1500 career points
• Burton past Aaron Cox (1249, 1999-03) for 11th on the all-time scoring list with 1,278 points

UP NEXT

• The Crusaders wrap up a three-game road trip when they return to the hardwood on Saturday, Feb. 1 at 3 p.m. in Grand Rapids as they face Cornerstone University.  
• Live coverage links will be posted at www.mucrusaders.com. 

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