LIVONIA, Mich. - Continuing their hot start to the 2024-25 season, the Crusaders returned to ACCU Arena on Veterans Day to face the Ohio Christian University Trailblazers. The last time these two teams faced off was last season, where the Trailblazers beat the Crusaders by 20-points. This time, the tables were turned completely, with the Crusaders picking up a 70-50 win at home. Moving to 3-0 following today's win, the Crusaders officially are off to their best start to a season since the 2017-18 campaign.
HOW IT HAPPENED:
The Crusaders scored the game's first points off of a fastbreak layup by
Keairra Jennings. After that, six-straight points from
Ashley Kopacko, followed by a
Chenelle King mid-range jumpshot would put the Crusaders ahead 10-0 in the opening minutes. While the Trailblazers would find the net eventually, the Crusaders remained ahead big after the first quarter: 19-9.
While the Crusaders continued to shoot well, the Trailblazers would really find their shot in the second quarter. Closing the gap, they were able to come withing five points of the Crusaders before halftime, going into the break 32-28 Madonna.
The Crusaders would steadily add onto their lead in the third quarter, extending their lead to nine points with two free throws from King to close out the quarter. With ten minutes to play, the Crusaders led 48-39.
In the final quarter, the Crusaders would absolutely run away with the game, scoring 22 points while holding the Trailblazers to just 11. With a final score of 70-50, the Crusaders would move to 3-0 to start the season for the first time since 2017.
INSIDE THE NUMBERS:
- Jennings led the team in scoring with 18 points and grabbed 6 rebounds.
- King nearly recorded a double-double with 14 points and nine assists.
- Dekota Smith also found double-digits with 13 points and seven rebounds.
- Terre'ya Moore led the team with 10 rebounds.
- Kopacko scored nine points and was 2-of-3 from three.
UP NEXT:
The Crusaders will head to Harrodsburg, Ky. for the weekend, where they will first face Simmons College of Kentucky on Friday, November 15 at 1:00 pm.