Balazei
Kellen Burke - MU Sports Media
Senior Garrett Balazsi celebrates a three-pointer, going on to make five in a career-game against the Cardinals.
86
Winner Madonna MU 21-4, 17-2
66
Concordia (MI) CUAA 7-18, 5-14
Winner
Madonna MU
21-4, 17-2
86
Final
66
Concordia (MI) CUAA
7-18, 5-14
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 F
Madonna MU 30 56 86
Concordia (MI) CUAA 28 38 66

Game Recap: Men's Basketball | | Kellen Burke

No. 14 Crusaders extend their win-streak with road victory

ANN ARBOR, Mich. - Coming off their dominant win over the No. 7 ranked Grey Wolves and taking first place in the Wolverine-Hoosier Athletic Conference (WHAC), the now-ranked No. 14 Madonna Crusaders (20-4, 16-2) traveled down the road to face the Cardinals of Concordia University Ann Arbor (9-20, 8-12). While the Cardinals kept it close in the first half, the Crusaders would run away with the game in the second half, led by junior forward Brendan Young who recorded a 24-point double-double. Firing on all cylinders in the final twenty-minutes, the Crusaders would score 56 second-half points as a team and blow past the Cardinals in a 86-66 victory.

HOW IT HAPPENED:

The Crusaders would not score until nearly three minutes into the game, when junior guard Isaac Anderson would get them on the board with a three-pointer from the top of the key. On the next possession, Young would drain a three-pointer of his own to give the Crusaders their first lead of the game. The Cardinals seemed to have their number on defense, as the Crusaders were unable to get one of the explosive starts they are known for. 

With just over eleven minutes remaining in the first half, senior Garrett Balazsi would drain his first three-pointer of the game. With Crusader guard Ethan Emerzian not dressed for today's contest, Balazsi would get an opportunity to step up for the Crusaders tonight.

With just under ten minutes in the first half, guard Devin Dunn would drain a three-pointer to give the Crusaders' their largest lead of the night so far at 20-15, leading to the Cardinals calling a timeout to regroup. The timeout seemed to not be as effective as the Cardinals hoped, as the Crusaders would extend their lead. Balazsi would drain another three, and Anderson would follow up with a fast-break bucket after swiping the ball from a Cardinal player. With five minutes left in the first half, the Crusaders led 30-21.

Seemingly out of nowhere, the Crusaders got cold in the final minutes of the half, giving the Cardinals room to catch up before the break. The nine-point lead was cut to just two as Madonna led 30-28 at halftime.

Coming out of the break, the Crusaders tried to get some breathing room, but to no avail early on. The Cardinals kept the game within five-points until the thirteen-minute mark when the Crusaders would begin to finally heat up. Making the most out of his opportunity tonight, Balazsi would drain back-to-back three pointers which extended the Crusaders' lead back to nine points.

From there, the Crusaders did not look back as their lead continued to climb in the final ten minutes. With just over five minutes to play, Balazsi would swish his fourth three-pointer of the game to extend their lead to 72-54. 

Shortly after this, Coach Noel Emenhiser would give his starters a rest for the remainder of the game, as the Crusaders' bench secured the victory, 86-66. 

INSIDE THE NUMBERS:
  • Young led the team with 24 points and 10 rebounds.
  • Anderson scored 19 points and grabbed eight rebounds.
  • Balazsi scored a career-high 15 points off the bench, shooting 5-of-7 from behind the arc.
  • Dunn also recorded double-digits with 12 points.
  • Senior Ryan Nunn led the team in assists with six.
UP NEXT: 

With only three games remaining until the start of the WHAC Tournament, the Crusaders will return home to face the Aquinas College Saints (13-11, 10-8). The game will be a White Out event at ACCU Arena, with things kicking off at 3:00 pm on Saturday, February 17th.

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