young v usf
Ryan Mitchell, MU Sports Information
83
Madonna MADONNA 2-4, 0-1
86
Winner Lourdes LOURDES 5-0, 1-0
Madonna MADONNA
2-4, 0-1
83
Final
86
Lourdes LOURDES
5-0, 1-0
Winner
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 F
Madonna MADONNA 41 42 83
Lourdes LOURDES 40 46 86

Game Recap: Men's Basketball | | Kellen Burke

Young passes himself for rebound record against Gray Wolves

SYLVANIA, Ohio. - After an incredibly tough out-of-conference schedule to start the 2024-25 season, the Madonna Crusaders (2-3) headed to Ohio for their first Wolverine-Hoosier Athletic Conference game of the season tonight against the Lourdes University Gray Wolves (4-0). In what seems to be a trend for the Crusaders this season, the outcome came down to the final shot once again, with the Gray Wolves winning 86-83.

Despite the heartbreaking loss, forward Brendan Young finished the game with 18 rebounds, the fourth most in a single game in program history, behind only himself twice (21, 20) and Chris Dierker (19). Young now holds four of the top five spots in program history for rebounds in a single game; 1st, 2nd, 4th, and 5th.

HOW IT HAPPENED:

From the jump it was evident that these two teams were as evenly matched as you could be; neither having any breathing room from the first minute to the fortieth. 

The Gray Wolves scored first but Young immediately answered with a layup of his own. Ten minutes in, the Gray Wolves would jump ahead by six, the largest lead of either team. But just as they did, Nikola Sasaroga immediately cut it back down on the next possession. After not leading for nearly ten minutes, Young would reclaim the upper-hand for the Crusaders, making it 22-21 with seven minutes to play in the first half.

From there, the two powerhouses would continue trading blows, with the Crusaders staying slightly ahead. A three pointer from Young with two minutes to play in the half gave them their own six-point lead, their largest of the night. The Gray Wolves would cut into the Crusader lead but they would remain on top by one; 41-40 Crusaders going into halftime.

The Gray Wolves would reclaim the lead early in the second half, going on to stay steadily ahead of the Crusaders for the remainder of the game. Despite staying on their heels for its entirety - the largest lead of the game only seven points - they were unable to surpass the Gray Wolves after giving up the lead with nine minutes to play. Guard Ahmoni Weston would hit a buzzer-beating three pointer, but it would only cut their six-point deficit to three as the Gray Wolves won 86-83.

INSIDE THE NUMBERS:
  • Young finished the day with a season high in both points and rebounds with 27 and 18.
  • Weston had 19 points on 7-of-12 shooting.
  • Matthew MacLellan also scored double-digits with 12.
UP NEXT:

The Crusaders will return to ACCU Arena this Saturday, November 23, where they will face the Cornerstone University Golden Eagles at 3:00 pm in another WHAC matchup.
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