Box Score KOKOMO, Ind. - Taking a break from their finals this week, the Madonna Crusaders (7-3, 2-3) headed to Indiana for an out-of-conference matchup against the IU Kokomo Cougars (4-4, 1-0). While the Cougars would keep it close, the Crusaders would come together as a team to secure the victory with five different players scoring double-digits. Crusaders would get the win 66-59.

HOW IT HAPPENED:

The Crusaders would get on the board first and take an early lead after a three-pointer from Marcela Rodriguez put them up 7-5. However, before the end of the quarter the Cougars would surpass them to lead 12-11 over the Crusaders after one period.

Three minutes in to the second quarter, Ashley Kopacko would drain a three to take back the lead for the Crusaders 18-16. While the Crusaders would hold on to the lead going into halftime, the Cougars refused to give them an inch, going into halftime 28-24.

After an incredibly tight first half, the Crusaders would explode in the final five minutes of the third quarter. Only leading 32-31 with just over four minutes left in the period, Delani Robinson and Rodriguez would hit three-pointers on back-to-back possessions. In the final minute, Terre'ya Moore would score four points be herself. Complimented by a last-second layup from Robinson, the Crusaders ended the quarter up 49-39, the largest lead of the night for either team.

Despite the Cougars keeping it close for the first 25 minutes, once the Crusaders pulled away the Cougars were unable to stop them. The Crusaders would hold on by a steady margin to win 66-59.

INSIDE THE NUMBERS:

• Rodriguez led the team with 12 points and five assists.
• Dekota Smith led the team with eight rebounds and scored 11 points.
• Moore scored 10 points and grabbed seven rebounds.
• Robinson scored 11 points on 2-of-4 from three.
• Faith Jungwirth scored 10 points on 5-of-7 shooting.

UP NEXT:

The Crusaders will return to Michigan and Wolverine-Hoosier Athletic Conference play this Saturday when the take on the UM-Dearborn Wolverines on the road. Tip-off is set for 1:00 pm on Saturday, December 14 from the UM-Dearborn Fieldhouse.