LIVONIA, Mich. —The Madonna University Crusaders (12-9, 8-5) came into tonight's home court match up against the Lourdes University Gray Wolves (16-5, 10-3) on a four-game win streak, hoping to spoil the high of the Gray Wolves who remain undefeated at home.
HOW IT HAPPENED:
After a 28 point margin in their previous win against Defiance College (Ohio), the Crusaders hoped to continue their offensive domination, but it was the Gray Wolves who would assert themselves offensively from the get-go. The Crusaders were quick to balance the score line as the half continued,
Ethan Emerzian getting them all squared up and then giving his side the lead immediately after from the field.
Ahmoni Weston would help extend the Crusader's lead with 12 points, four assists, and one steal to show for the half.
Isaac Anderson would wrap up the Crusader's offensive push heading into halftime, with 14 points and nine rebounds–top of the stats sheet in both categories in the contest so far. The score reflected an offensive-centric first half, the home side up 45-33 at its culmination.
The Crusaders would continue to widen the point margin,
Isaac Anderson getting them started then followed by Matthew McLellan who made his presence known with a dunk to bring his points total to 10. The Gray Wolves wouldn't be denied, keeping the game close as the half continued with Derrel Jones leading the charge with 17 total points in the contest. With the point gap narrowing, the Gray Wolves amped up the pressure, but the Crusaders hung on, earning themselves a victory with a final score of 82-80.
Overall, it was an effort captured by familiar favorites in what could be called an even spread of offensive capital for the home side, five Crusaders putting up double digits: Anderson with 26, Weston with 17, MacLellan with 14, Emerzian with 13, and Young with 12. The team would generate a total time of 30:50 in which they held the lead, speaking to their identity as a team to beat an in conference opponent as they extend their win streak to five.
INSIDE THE NUMBERS:
- Anderson would come just one point shy of his Madonna career-high (27) with 26 points and led the game with 15 rebounds
- Ahmoni Weston had 17 points to show for the night and matched his career high in assists with six
- After tonight's win, Young become the first Crusaders in program history to eclipse 1,000 career rebounds
- Young is also the first person in program history to surpass 1,000 points and 1,000 rebounds in a career
UP NEXT:
The Crusaders will be back in action on the road this Saturday, February 1st as they take on Cornerstone University at Mol Arena. Tip-off is set for 3:00pm.
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