Dunn v Cleary
Zoe Zdunczyk - MU Sports Media
Guard Devin Dunn smiles as Crusaders go on to win.
79
Winner Madonna MADONNA 14-3, 10-1
78
Aquinas (MI) AQ 9-8, 6-5
Winner
Madonna MADONNA
14-3, 10-1
79
Final
78
Aquinas (MI) AQ
9-8, 6-5
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 F
Madonna MADONNA 39 40 79
Aquinas (MI) AQ 36 42 78

Game Recap: Men's Basketball | | Kellen Burke

Crusaders come out on top in nail-biting finish

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. - The RV Madonna Men's Basketball Team (13-3, 9-1) headed across the state to face the Aquinas College Saints (9-7, 6-4) in a Wolverine-Hoosier Athletic Conference matchup. Coming off a two-game win streak, the Crusaders hoped to keep that alive against the Saints. In a battle that came down to the buzzer, the Crusaders would come out on top, winning 79-78 and moving to 14-3 overall and 10-1 in WHAC play. 

HOW IT HAPPENED:

Brendan Young got the Crusaders on the board first with a three-point jumper on the game's first possession. From there, the Crusaders jumped ahead early, going up 10-2 in the opening minutes. Center Matthew MacLellan did his part, providing nine points in the first eight minutes of play, including an electric dunk which put the Crusaders up 21-9. Another bucket from behind the arc from Young extended their lead to 27-9 at the ten-minute mark of the first half. However, the Saints would own the final ten-minutes of play before the break, climbing all the way back and cutting the Crusaders' lead to just three, going into halftime 39-36.

The Saints continued to lock-in the second half, not allowing the Crusaders any breathing room. Just as it seemed Madonna had begun to pull away, up 69-59 with seven minutes left, the Saints quickly countered by stealing the lead and going up 71-69 just two minutes of play later. with just over one minute remaining in the game, it was tied up at 74-74. In the final seconds, two clutch free throws from Crusaders' guard Devin Dunn would seal the deal, winning 79-78 and moving to 10-1 in WHAC play.

INSIDE THE NUMBERS:
  • Isaac Anderson led the way with 23 points and 10 rebounds.
  • Young also found double-digits with 12 points, nine rebounds, and three assists.
  • ShoRon Graham posted 11 points with perfect accuracy, shooting 4-for-4 from the field and 3-for-3 from behind the arc.
  • MacLellan dropped 15 points and picked up six rebounds.

UP NEXT:

The Crusaders will return home this Saturday to take on the Indiana Tech Warriors (11-5, 9-1) at ACCU Arena in Livonia, Mich. Tip-off is set for 3:00 pm on January 20th.
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