FORT WAYNE, Ind. - The Crusader men's basketball team continued their road trip as they journeyed down to Indiana for one of their most anticipated rematches of the season against the #11 Indiana Tech Warriors. Despite a great start to the game and an amazing second-half performance, the Crusaders would fall to the Warriors once again: 72-63.

HOW IT HAPPENED:

Madonna found themselves ahead early against Indiana Tech, taking a quick lead in the game's opening minutes. Throughout the first quarter of play, the Crusaders would control the court, taking a five-point lead before the Warriors knew what was happening. However, with just under ten minutes remaining in the first half, the Warriors would take their first lead of the night. The Crusaders battled back to reclaim the lead 19-17, but a dominant 19-6 run by the Warriors to close out the half would put them up 36-25 going into the break.

The Crusaders seemed to have a revival during halftime, coming out of the locker room looking like an entirely new team. Mark Mettie quickly scored five points in the opening seconds. Ryan Nunn also came out firing, knocking down three three-pointers in the second half. Mettie and Nunn would lead all players in scoring in the second half, both with 11. Their combined effort would help the Crusaders cut their deficit to single digits, and even outscored the Warriors in the second half. However, it was too little too late as they still could not catch up, falling short 72-63.

INSIDE THE NUMBERS:
 

• Mettie led all players with 16 points, nine rebounds, and two blocks.
• Nunn scored 11 points and shot 50% from three.

UP NEXT

The Crusaders will return home to face RV Cornerstone University in a rematch of one of their closest games of the season. Tipoff is at 7:30 pm on Wednesday, January 18th at ACCU Arena.

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