LIVONIA, Mich. - Returning to the floor for the first time since December 16th, the Madonna University men's basketball team overcame a slow start to defeat visiting Concordia University 78-75 in a Wolverine-Hoosier Athletic Conference battle. The Crusaders have won their ninth straight game and are 11-2 overall and 7-0 in conference play. CUAA falls to 5-7 overall and 3-5 in WHAC action.

HOW IT HAPPENED: 

Madonna began the game on an 8-0 run capped off by an Isaac Anderson dunk, before Joey Garwood got the scoring started for the Cardinals. Things began to heat up for both sides following the opening minutes, and Concordia used a 10-0 run in the middle of the first half to take a 24-18 lead. CUAA eventually outscored Madonna 15-14 over the final 10 minutes of the opening period to take a 39-32 halftime lead. Anderson led Madonna at the break with eight points, while Brendan Young added six points and five rebounds. Garwood scored 14 first half points for the Cardinals, while Zavian McClendon posted 10. 

A 12-2 run by the Crusaders early in the second half gave the home team a 44-41 lead. Madonna eventually opened up an eight-point advantage with 13:41 remaining, however Concordia didn't go away. The Cardinals cut the deficit to just two with 10:44 left, before taking a one-point lead with 9:23 to go. From there, it was a back-and-forth battle with neither team leading by more than four points. Layups by Young and Anderson put the Crusaders ahead by five with under a minute remaining. Despite a late three, Madonna was able to hang on for the victory. 

INSIDE THE NUMBERS:
 

• Anderson ended his night with a game-high 28 points.
• Young posted a double-double with 14 points and 14 rebounds. 
• Matthew MacLellan scored 10 points and hauled in seven rebounds. 
• The Cardinals were led by Garwood with 23 points, while McClendon scored 20 points and grabbed eight rebounds. 

UP NEXT:

The Crusaders head to No. 14 Lourdes University for a battle with the Gray Wolves. Tip off is set for 3:00 PM inside the Ebeid Rec Center. Lourdes (10-1, 6-1 WHAC) suffered their first loss of the season to Lawrence Tech tonight, falling 71-68. 


CONNECT WITH THE CRUSADERS: Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | YouTube
SUBSCRIBE/DOWNLOAD TEAM SCHEDULES: Download Center
DOWNLOAD THE NEW MOBILE APP: Google Play | iOS