LIVONIA, Mich.-- The 2021 Bernie Holowicki Classic presented by Success Group Mortgage got underway on Friday evening as Madonna University's Men's Basketball team secured its second win of the 2021-22 campaign at home in a 70-61 win over Saint Xavier University (Ill.). 

HOW IT HAPPENED

A free throw from Eian Barker hit things off for Madonna as a firm dunk by Mark Mettie helped the tag team break open the scoring column for Madonna as it held a 8-0 lead early in the first half. It was then business as usual with Mettie and Ryan Nunn getting work done to keep the Crusaders' barrier as Madonna found itself up by as much as 15 in the first half at 32-17. Nunn drained a three with less than three minutes remaining in the half to push Madonna's edge to 18 with a final SXU basket coming near the end of time for a 39-25 lead at the break.

Then things got tense. As we fast forward to five minutes left in regulation, the Cougars were able to climb back within four points as one player found themselves with a stout, double-double game that was broken by a key triple from Nunn. As the minutes wound down, Mettie and the tell-tale sign of intentional fouls signaled to the near-capacity crowd that victory was imminent. Four throws by Devin Dunn secured the win and the team's home opener dub. 

INSIDE THE NUMBERS

• Mettie led the team in scoring with 18 points, Nunn just behind with 17 off the bench
• Ryan McMullen edged out Noah Campbell and Brendan Young in rebounds with six 
• The Crusaders shot 73.3% (11-15) at the charity stripe to compliment a 42.4% field goal percentage 
• Nunn was a perfect 4-4 from the three-point arc

UP NEXT

The Crusaders conclude the Bernie Holowicki Classic on Saturday, November 6 in the event's final match at 4:00 p.m. at the ACCU Arena in a showdown with Mount Vernon Nazarene University (Ohio). 


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