LIVONIA, Mich. - Madonna University women's basketball played host to Siena Heights University on Thursday night. It was the visiting Saints who came out victorious with a 78-40 defeat of the Crusaders. 

HOW IT HAPPENED:

The Saints are currently receiving votes in the NAIA National Polls. They came out and opened up a 7-2 run immediately, as Madonna scored the game's first points off a jumper by Marcela Rodriguez. Siena Heights however put a lot of pressure on Madonna in the opening quarter, taking a 21-8 lead after one. In the second, the story was more of the same as the visitors outscored the hosts 19-5 and took a 40-13 halftime lead. 

The second half saw the Crusaders battle as they scored 13 points in the third quarter thanks to points by Rodriguez, Delani Robinson, JaC'ana Anderson, and Ashley Hill. Madonna outscored Siena Heights in the fourth 14-11, shooting 41.7 percent as a team in the period. It was Saints however who were able to use the big first half to come away with the victory. 

INSIDE TH:E NUMBERS:
 

• Robinson led Madonna with 11 points, while Hill and Rodriguez had nine each. 
• JaC'ana Anderson returned to the Crusader lineup with five points, four rebounds, and two blocks. 
• Sha'kyia Parker led the Saints with a game-high 17 points. \

UP NEXT:

Madonna visits Lawrence Tech at 1:00 PM Saturday from Don Ridler Fieldhouse.