LIVONIA, Mich. -- Madonna University's Women's Basketball team continued Wolverine-Hoosier Athletic Conference (WHAC) play after a week off to host Aquinas College (Mich.) Saints where the Crusaders would get their first win of the year 62-57 and their first win since February 6, 2021, last season.
  
HOW IT HAPPENED

Both teams were struggling offensively to start this one, three minutes into the game Megan Aho broke the seal off the rim and scored the first four points for the Crusaders. Sarah Tanderys checked into the game and provided an instant spark, as she scored five straight points to give the Crusaders a 9-4 lead. Madonna had the momentum for the majority of the first quarter and with 6 seconds left, Madonna forces a turnover and on the fast break, Tanderys hit a step-back three to go up by six.

In the second, Megan Aho was great for the Crusaders as she scored 10 points on 4-5 shooting. In this quarter, Madonna would find themselves with their largest lead of the game by being up by 10. Aquinas would get a late basket and the Crusaders would head into the locker room with a 30-22 lead.

In the third, Aquinas showed up and Marissa Brady showed everyone why she is the reigning WHAC player of the week. She would finish the quarter with six points, six rebounds, and two blocks to help the saints cut the Crusaders lead down to only two points. However, the Crusaders responded and Sharon Woodard hit a top of the key three with 15 seconds left to go, extend their lead to 42-37.

In the final 10 minutes of play, it was a back and forth game with each team trading baskets.  The Crusaders played as a team in this period, five players went into the scoring column this quarter and they forced six Aquinas turnovers.  Tanderys went 2-2 from downtown this quarter and the combination of April Hudelson, Paige Boden, and Kennedy Carrier shut down the WHAC player of the week in Brady. The Crusaders would ice the game with free throws by Aho and Naomi Davis to win this one 62-57.

INSIDE THE NUMBERS 
 

• Aho led the Crusaders with 20 points and also had eight rebounds, two assists, and four steals
• Tanderys finished the game with 16 points shooting 4-7 3pt, and also had two steals
• Woodard finished the game with nine points, three rebounds, and four assists
• Hudelson finished the game with eight points, eight rebounds, and a block

UP NEXT

The Crusaders will return to the Alliance Catholic Credit Union Arena for another WHAC matchup against the 3-4 Gray Wolves of Lourdes University (Ohio) this Saturday, November 20, with a 1:00 p.m. tip.

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