DEARBORN, Mich. – Coming off their first conference win of the season the Madonna Crusaders women's basketball traveled down the road to University of Michigan - Dearborn to take on the Wolverines. A slow start to the game for the Crusaders was the difference in the game as they dropped this game, 61-80.

The Crusaders record is now 3-14 and 1-8 in conference, while the Wolverines record improves to 11-7 and 4-4 in conference play.

HOW IT HAPPENED:

• The Wolverines started the game on a quick 13-3 run in the opening 2:43 minutes after a couple of three-point baskets. Sydney Brown was on fire in the quarter as she was able to score the first 13 Crusader points with many of them coming in the paint. The Wolverines held a 10 point lead at the end of the quarter. Leading the Crusaders in the quarter was Brown. 
• The Crusaders defense was able to settle in as they were able to hold the Wolverines on a couple of occasions as the scoring in the quarter went back and forth between the teams. The Crusaders offense evened out in the quarter as five Crusaders broke into the scoring column. The point differential at the half was 13. Leading the Crusaders was Claire LeRoux, Naomi Davis and Brown.
• The Blue and Gold came out shooting to start the half as Victoria Guardiola hit a 3-point basket on the first possession. More back and forth scoring saw four players for Madonna get into the scoring column as Guardiola led the Crusaders in the quarter with seven points.
• The Wolverines offense caught fire once again as they had multiple runs throughout the quarter and were able to put the game away for good. Guardiola once again led the Crusaders on the offensive end as she was able to score the last eight points. 

INSIDE THE NUMBERS:

• 3: The Junior transfer Aho had a career day for the Crusaders as she tallied up 22 points and nine rebounds which are both highs for her to go along with three steals.
• 29: The Crusaders finished with 29 rebounds including 6 offensive and 23 defensive rebounds, leading the Crusaders was Megan Aho with 7 rebounds. While the Wolverines also recorded 48 rebounds including 13 offensive and 35 defensive and were led by Cydney Williams with 12 rebounds.
• 35.9:  The Blue and Gold shot at a 35.9% clip from the floor while the Wolverines hit 43.8% of their shots.
• 24: The Blue and Gold were pounding the paint as they were able to score 24 of their 61 points in the paint as opposed to the 20 points in the point for the Wolverines. 

UP NEXT:

• The Crusaders will have the weekend off and will be back in action on Wednesday, Jan. 15 at 5:30 PM when they go up against the Cardinals of Concordia University - Ann Arbor.
• Live coverage will be available via the Madonna Athletics Network at mucrusaders.com/live.

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