THE BASICS
Score: Madonna University 66, Cornerstone University (Mich.) 60
Records: Madonna (1-4, 1-2), Cornerstone (3-8, 0-3)
Location: Mol Arena, Grand Rapids, Mich.
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. - The Madonna University women's basketball team traveled to Grand Rapids for their first road contest of the 2020-21 Wolverine-Hoosier Athletic Conference matchup of the season against Cornerstone University as they picked up their first win on the season.
HOW IT HAPPENED
- The Crusader defense came ready to play in the first quarter as they were able to force a couple steals and blocks on their way to an early 7-2 lead. Emily Pendred got the scoring started for the Crusaders with a layup on their first possession. Naomi Davis would add a couple free throws, with Sharon Woodard added an and-one. Throughout the last five minutes the Crusaders would go on a 14-10 run seeing baskets from Megan Aho, Josie Pergentili, and Kennedy Carrier.
- April Hudelson got the scoring started for the Crusaders with a layup. The teams would trade baskets over the next three minutes. Aho would then go on a scoring run as she scored nine out of the Crusaders next ten points to bring the Crusader lead to 14. The Golden Eagles would not let the Crusaders run away with the game as they too went on a 10-1 run of their own to bring the score at half to within five.
- The Crusaders first possession of the second half started much the same as the second quarter but this time it was Woodard starting the scoring. Both teams would battle back and forth throughout the third quarter with Emily Pendred and Pergentili both making key free throws to keep the lead going into the fourth.
- The Golden Eagles would get on the board first scoring six of the first eight points in the quarter tying the game up at 50. The Crusader offense started to hit the mark as they proceeded to go on a 13-5 run with Woodard scoring six of those points with Aho and Carrier adding points in the run also. The Crusaders would have to make crucial free throws towards the end in which Woodard, Aho and Naomi Davis would do to finalize the win.
TURNING POINT
- The Crusaders were sparked by a late 13-5 run over four minutes in the fourth quarter
INDIVIDUAL LEADERS
- Aho tied her career best with 22 points on 53.3% shooting while bringing down nine rebounds and grabbing two steals.
- Woodard also had a career-best day with 12 points on the afternoon.
INSIDE THE NUMBERS
- 37:30: The Crusaders led for 37:30 minutes of the game while The Golden Eagles did not gain the lead over the entire course of the game.
- 8: Madonna had eight steals over the course of the game and forced 13 turnovers which led to 17 Crusader points.
- 39.6: The Blue and Gold shot the ball at a 39.6% clip while Cornerstone made 36.1% of their shots.
UP NEXT
- The Blue and Gold will be back in action Wednesday February 3 when they travel to Southfield, Mich. for a matchup against the Blue Devils of Lawrence Tech University for a 5PM tipoff.
- Live coverage links will be available at www.mucrusaders.com
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