LIVONIA, Mich. -- The Madonna University Women's Basketball team was back home at the ACCU Arena Monday night to take on the University of Saint Francis (Ind.) Cougars and the Crusaders fell losing 66-59.

HOW IT HAPPENED

April Hudelson got things going for the Crusaders as she made the first basket of the night for Madonna. The Cougars came out the gates strong as they jumped out to a 17-4 lead. Saint Francis only missed four shots in the first and they took a 23-10 lead after one. 

In the second, the Crusaders played better on offense outsourcing the cougars 20-15 in the second.  Megan Aho had a much better quarter as she went 2-3 from the field scoring six points and also dished out three assists. Madonna's defense played better as well holding Saint Francis to zero threes in the quarter. However, Madonna would themselves trailing 38-30 at the half. 

In the third quarter, the Crusaders' defense was on another level, holing Saint Francis to just 28% from the field and 16% from three. Madonna would drill three three-pointers as well on the way to yet again outscore the Cougars 15-14. 

To start the fourth, the Crusaders found themselves trailing 52-45. Madonna would start the quarter on an 8-4 run and close the deficit to just three points. However, down the stretch, Saint Francis stepped their game and got the stops they needed to win 66-59.


INSIDE THE NUMBERS 
 

• Aho finished with a near triple-double with 15 pints, 11 assists, and nine rebounds
• Naomi Davis had 15 points and seven rebounds
• April Hudelson had 12 points, four rebounds, and two blocks
• Paige Boden finished with six points, two rebounds, and five blocks

UP NEXT

The Crusaders will take the rest of 2021 off and will be back home on Wednesday, January 5, 2022, for a Wolverine-Hoosier Athletic Conference matchup against Cornerstone University (Mich.) 

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