LIVONIA, Mich.-- Noah Campbell's 26 points propelled Madonna University Men's Basketball to a 98-68 win over Graceland University (Iowa) in day one of the Madonna Holiday Classic Presented by Aaron Cox Law Friday night.

HOW IT HAPPENED

After Rochester University (Mich.) routed Central Methodist University (Mo.) 72-54 in the first game, Mark Mettie went on to score the first seven points for Madonna tacking on two rebounds and a steal in the first three minutes of game two.

Matthew MaClellan's back-to-back layups complimented by Brendan Young's three pointer then continued to fire things up for Madonna as the Crusaders' lead was as many as 12 in the first half with Jordan Graham's triple. MaClellan and Eian Barker then inflated that margin to 15 with six minutes left in the half with two free throws by Noah Campbell with 1:30 remaining then put it to 18. At the half, Madonna was all smiles with a 40-24 lead.

The Crusaders then came out firing behind Graham, Devin Dunn, and Young's second three-pointer to break out a 7-0 run to start the second half. In the first frame of the second half, the Yellowjackets would never go on more than a two points run before it was halted by the Crusaders' defensive efforts and its 10 takeaways. 

Starting at the 5:07 mark in regulation, Madonna cruised to a 13-2 run that would ultimately suffocate Graceland's efforts where Levente Molnar's three ball enlightened the crowd to a 32 points lead where the Yellowjackets would never recover. 

INSIDE THE NUMBERS

• Campbell's 26 points off the bench is a season-high, MaClellan and Dunn each had 15
• Campbell was a perfect 10-10 at the free throw line to levy Madonna's 90.9% (20-22) team average with Dunn, Eian Barker, and Jalen Miller perfect as well
• The Crusaders shot 54.7% from the field, 52.2% from three, and 42 points in the paint
• Off of Madonna's nine steals, it scored 13 points off turnovers
• With Campbell's 26, the Madonna bench scored 56 of the 98 total points
• Madonna outrebounded the Yellowjackets 37-27, MaClellan was the team leader with eight

UP NEXT

Madonna will be back for day two of the Madonna Holiday Classic to take on Central Methodist at 2:00 p.m. in the second game at the ACCU Arena. 

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