Jennings v SHU
Zoe Zdunczyk - MU Sports Media
Keairra Jennings (5) drives to the basket.
69
Winner Michigan-Dearborn MICHIGAN 2-20, 1-15
59
Madonna MADONNA 9-13, 5-11
Winner
Michigan-Dearborn MICHIGAN
2-20, 1-15
69
Final
59
Madonna MADONNA
9-13, 5-11
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 3 4 F
Michigan-Dearborn MICHIGAN 13 16 18 22 69
Madonna MADONNA 14 17 19 9 59

Game Recap: Women's Basketball | | Kellen Burke

Women's Basketball defeated by Wolverines

LIVONIA, Mich. - Returning home after their three-game road stretch, the Madonna Crusaders (9-12, 5-10) would face the UM-Dearborn Wolverines (1-20, 0-15) in a WHAC matchup as they continue to fight for a spot in the postseason tournament. In what turned out to be a much closer game than expected, both teams would stay neck-and-neck until the final buzzer. However, the Crusaders would run out of gas at the end, as the Wolverines would take a 69-59 victory.

HOW IT HAPPENED:

Freshman Ashley Kopacko would get things started this afternoon, swishing a deep-three from the right wing for the game's first score. After snagging the rebound on defense, Dekota Smith would take it all the way down the court and drop a layup in the bucket to give the Crusaders an early lead. The Wolverines would tie it up at 5-5 five minutes into the game, but back-to-back jumpers from Keairra Jennings and Malyah Bynum would give the Crusaders some breathing room. Five quick points from Kayiona Willis to end the quarter would give the Crusaders a 14-13 lead with the Wolverines right on their tail.

The Wolverines would start to heat up, taking the lead by four to start the second quarter. Sophomore Delani Robinson would answer with a three-point-play, and Kopacko would then take back the lead with a driving layup for the Crusaders. With just over five minutes left to play in the first half, Aaliyah McQueen would get on the board for the first time today as the Crusaders finally caught their rhythm. Jennings would get a fast break layup and then drain a three on the next possession to keep them rolling. Willis would follow up with a three-pointer of her own to give the Crusaders a nine-point lead, the largest of the night. However, the Wolverines would close the gap before halftime. Crusaders still led, but now only by two, going into halftime up 31-29.

The Crusaders would hold onto their lead for the entirety of the third quarter, but the Wolverines held tight within arm's reach. The Crusaders led 50-47 with one period remaining. However, they seemingly just ran out of steam offensively. Defensively, they were able to greatly disrupt the Wolverines' offense with an incredibly effective full-court press strategy that the Wolverines had no answer for. However, the ball kept taking unlucky bounces for them on offense, as they were not nearly as efficient as they had been all game up until that point. The Wolverines would go on to win 69-59.

INSIDE THE NUMBERS:
  • Jennings led the team in points with 15.
  • Willis also found double-digits with 12 points.
  • McQueen was just a basket away from another double-double with eight points and 12 rebounds.
UP NEXT: 

The Crusaders will hit the road once again to face the Rochester University Warriors (12-10, 9-7) as they hope to keep their postseason dream alive. Tip-off is set for 5:30 pm this upcoming Wednesday, February 7th at Garth Pleasant Arena.
 
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