THE BASICS

Score: Madonna University 77, Rochester University 79
Records: Madonna (1-2, 0-1 WHAC), Rochester (2-0, 1-0 WHAC)
Location: Alliance Catholic Credit Union Arena, Livonia, Mich.

LIVONIA, Mich. -  The Madonna University Men's Basketball team fell to Rochester University (Mich.) 79-77 after a 76-day layoff on Wednesday evening for the first game of 2021 inside the Alliance Catholic Credit Union Arena.

HOW IT HAPPENED:
 

• Madonna hit their game-high lead with 15:43 in the first before Rochester roared back to take a five-point lead at the break 42-37. The Warriors led by as many as 13 points in the first frame as Madonna began to storm back piece-by-piece behind the efforts of junior Mark Mettie and senior Henry Speight.
• The Crusaders reached the free throw line early in the second half to claw back within a handful of points for the remainder of the time, getting back to as many as two points down with just a few short minutes to go. 

TURNING POINT

• With 1:25 to go, Dunn's strong finish in the paint put Madonna within two at 74-72 before Rochester put one up themselves to keep the four-point buffer. Mettie then commanded a take away and finished at the other end with 54 seconds remaining.
• A pair of free throws by Rochester set up yet another four-point lead as the ball reached the hands of Speight who sank a three-point bucket with 9 seconds hanging until a good free throw by the Warriors on the ensuing possession solidified their win. 

INDIVIDUAL LEADERS

• Speight led the team with 31 points followed closely behind Mettie with 21 points. Mettie also was the team-leader in rebounds with 11.  
• Sophomore Devin Dunn totaled four steals on the defensive end. 

INSIDE THE NUMBERS

• 13-17: The Crusaders were 13-17 from the line in the first half, head-and-shoulders above the 11 trips the Warriors made as Madonna hit 76.5%.
• 79.3%: Madonna were proud shooters at the line with the free-throw percentage totaling 79.3% across all frames. 
• 8: On the glass, Madonna was able to gain the edge on the Warriors in second-chance points with eight while Rochester sat at two.

UP NEXT

• Madonna will return on Friday, January 29 at 3:00 PM where the Racers of the University of Northwestern Ohio come to the ACCU Arena. 
• Live coverage links will be available at www.mucrusaders.com 

CONNECT WITH THE CRUSADERS: Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | YouTube
SUBSCRIBE/DOWNLOAD TEAM SCHEDULES: Download Center
DOWNLOAD THE NEW MOBILE APP: Google Play | iOS