SOUTHFIELD, Mich. - The Madonna University men's basketball program earned some revenge on Saturday with a 85-57 road victory over Lawrence Tech University. The win was big for many reasons, including avenging the overtime loss to LTU earlier this season at Alliance Catholic Credit Union Arena. 

HOW IT HAPPENED:

Coming off Thursday night's heartbreaking one-point loss to Siena Heights, the Crusaders looked to get back in the win column at Don Ridler Fieldhouse. Madonna's offense got going right away with a jumper from Blake Banks. Throughout the first half the teams traded baskets, with no one leading by more than 10 points. Both the Blue Devils and Crusaders were tied at 35-35 in the final minute of the half, but a three-pointer by Ethan Emerzian gave Madonna a 38-35 lead with 40 seconds remaining in the first. Madonna ended up taking a 39-35 lead into the halftime locker room. Banks and Emerzian both had huge first halves with 11 and nine points. Emerzian was 3-of-3 from three-point range in the opening period. 

In the second half, Madonna began pulling away. Back-to-back layups by Deric Murray put the Crusaders up 12 points with 14:20 remaining. The lead grew to 17 points when an Emerzian three-pointer and Murray layup made the score 56-39. The host Blue Devils tried to get going offensively and get back in the game, but were unable to as the Crusaders maintained a 25-point lead on their way to a blowout Wolverine-Hoosier Athletic Conference victory. The victory moved Madonna's record to 17-6 overall and 10-5 in WHAC play. After Saturday's games, the Crusaders sit in fourth place in the conference standings. 

INSIDE THE NUMBERS:
 

• Murray and Banks scored 19 points each to lead Madonna. 
• Ethan Emerzian added 12 points of his own and was 4-of-4 from three-point land. 
• Henry Speight chipped in 10 points, while Matthew MacLellan grabbed a team-high six rebounds. 
• As a team, Madonna scored 34 points in the paint, 16 points off turnovers, and 10 fastbreak points. 
• The Crusaders outscored the Blue Devils in the second half 46-22. 
• LTU was led by Gunnar Gustafson with 17 points. 

UP NEXT:

Madonna returns home to take on WHAC foe UNOH at 7:30 PM Wednesday, February 1st from the Alliance Catholic Credit Union Arena.