Byoung v Lourdes
Zoe Zdunczyk - MU Sports Media
Junior forward Brendan Young (11) led the Crusaders past the Grey Wolves with 26 points and 10 rebounds on 11-of-13 shooting.
65
Lourdes LOURDES 19-3, 15-3
72
Winner Madonna MADONNA 20-4, 16-2
Lourdes LOURDES
19-3, 15-3
65
Final
72
Madonna MADONNA
20-4, 16-2
Winner
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 F
Lourdes LOURDES 26 39 65
Madonna MADONNA 40 32 72

Game Recap: Men's Basketball | | Kellen Burke

Crusaders knock off No. 7 Grey Wolves; take first place in WHAC

LIVONIA, Mich. - Riding a four-game win streak, the #RV Madonna Crusaders (19-4, 15-2) returned to ACCU Arena to host the No. 7 Lourdes University Grey Wolves (19-2, 15-2) in a matchup that would determine the No. 1 seed in the Wolverine-Hoosier Athletic Conference. As soon as the clock started the Crusaders exploded past the Grey Wolves, making their case to the NAIA Coaches' Poll. Led by Young and MacLellan, each with 20 points, and Anderson with a 15-point double-double, the Crusaders secured a 72-65 win and overtook the Grey Wolves for first place in the conference.

HOW IT HAPPENED:

The Crusaders wasted no time, jumping out to an 11-0 run to open things up. Junior guard Isaac Anderson got the party started with a quick layup, being followed up by center Matthew MacLellan with a catch-and-shoot three from the top of the key. On the next possession, point guard Devin Dunn stole the ball away from the Grey Wolves and dotted up Anderson for a fast-break layup. Senior Ryan Nunn capped off the run with a jump-shot as the Crusaders led 11-0 just under five minutes into the game.

The Grey Wolves would finally get on the board with just over fifteen minutes remaining in the first half, but so would junior forward Brendan Young with his first basket of the day. Nunn would pull up once again, this time for a deep-three as the shot clock expired. Junior guard Ethan Emerzian would follow suit, getting on the board with his first basket of the day from way beyond the arc. The Grey Wolves would cut the lead down to single-digits with just under ten minutes remaining in the half, but their rally would be short lived thanks to a three-pointer from Anderson.

With just under five minutes left to play in the first half, the Crusaders would make a statement as they extended their lead to nearly fifteen before the break. Young would drain a deep-three before Anderson followed with a powerful dunk over a Grey Wolves defender. ACCU Arena would be on its feet as the Crusaders went into the half up 40-26 over the No. 7 Grey Wolves.
 

The Crusaders would keep up their explosive pace coming out of the break as Young got things started with five quick points. With just under fifteen left to play and nearly 35-feet out, Young knocked down his third three-pointer of the game, still not having missed a shot all afternoon. The Crusaders would keep their lead at double-digits with just under ten minutes to play. 

In the final eight minutes, the Grey Wolves would finally seem to find their offensive rhythm as they began chipping away to the Crusader lead, cutting it to single-digits with just over seven minutes to play. Young would keep them at bay with another three-pointer, this time with his foot on the logo to keep the momentum on their side. He followed it up with a lob to MacLellan for an alley-oop slam dunk that got the entire crowd on their feet.
 

In the final two minutes of the game, Anderson and MacLellan would each drain a pair of clutch free throws to close things out at ACCU Arena. The Crusaders would take a convincing 72-65 win over the No. 7 team in the nation and secure their place at the top of the WHAC.

INSIDE THE NUMBERS:
  • Young led the team with 26 points and 10 rebounds on 11-of-13 shooting.
  • MacLellan 20 points, five rebounds, and two blocks.
  • Anderson recorded a double-double with 15 points, 10 rebounds, and four assists.
  • Young, Anderson, and MacLellan accounted for 61 of the Crusaders' 72 points.
  • The Crusaders led for all 40-minutes of play against the No. 7 Grey Wolves.
UP NEXT: 

The Crusaders will hope to stay hot to close out the regular season with four games remaining on the schedule. They will head down the road to face the Concordia University Ann Arbor Cardinals (7-16, 5-12) this Wednesday. Tip-off is set for 7:30 pm on February 14th from Cardinal Field House.

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