LIVONIA, Mich. -- Madonna University's Women's Basketball team returned home to the Alliance Catholic Credit Union Arena to take on the No.11 Indiana Wesleyan University where the Crusaders fell 78-70 in overtime on Tuesday.

HOW IT HAPPENED

The Crusaders came out with a burst of energy, Madonna would lead this one 6-5 after the first minutes. However, the Wildcats would get a couple of stops in a row to jump out to a 16-15 lead after one. 

In the second, the Wildcats carried their momentum over from the first quarter and held the Crusaders to only seven points this quarter. Megan Aho was a bright spot for the Crusaders this quarter as she was 2-2 from the field scoring five points, and was a pest of defense causing three steals. Despite Aho's efforts, the Wildcats would close the half on a 9-3 run to extend their lead to 10. 

Coming out of the half, both teams were trading baskets for the first three minutes. The turning point in the third quarter was when the Crusaders went scoreless for three minutes and the Wildcats would go on a 9-0 run to extend their lead to 17. The Wildcats would get their largest lead of the night by going up 19 points with 3:20 left in the third. From there, things got interesting and the Crusaders would go on a run of their own. 

To start the fourth quarter, the Crusaders were down 54-39. Sharon Woodard would get a layup to cut the lead to 13 and the comeback was on. The Crusaders really stepped their defense up, only allowing 11 points this quarter and holding the Wildcats to just 22% shooting. Woodard was huge for Madonna as she outscored the Wildcats as a team with 12 points on 6-6 shooting. In the finals five minutes of the fourth, the Crusaders would go on a 16-6 run and Woodard would get a layup with 13 seconds left to tie the game 65-65. 

In overtime, the Wildcats would flex their muscles once more and show us all why they're ranked eleventh. Indiana Wesleyan would go on a 13-5 run to eventually win 78-70 in overtime. 


INSIDE THE NUMBERS 
 

• Woodard would lead the way for the Crusaders' scoring 24 points, five assists, and two steals
• Aho would finish the game with 22 points, five rebounds, three assists, and seven steals. 
• April Hudelson would finish the game with eight points, 10 rebounds, and two blocks
• Naomi Davis would finish with eight points and three assists 

UP NEXT

The Crusaders will return to the court this Friday at the Trojan Classic in Deerfield, Ill. where they take on Trinity Christian College (Ill.) at 2:00 p.m. E.T. 

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