LIVONIA, Mich.-- In an intense league showdown, the Madonna University Crusaders' women's basketball team faced off against the Northwestern Ohio Racers on November 25, 2025, in Livonia, Michigan. Despite a strong start and a resilient fight, the Crusaders succumbed in overtime with a final score of 91-83.

HOW IT HAPPENED:
The game opened with Northwestern Ohio taking an early lead, but Madonna's Faith Jungwirth and Lizzy Liedel kept the team competitive, ending the first period slightly behind at 19-20. The Crusaders then stepped up their defense in the second period, with Pierce Cephas leading a series of steals that helped Madonna pull ahead to a halftime lead of 37-33.

The third period saw Madonna extend their lead, thanks to consistent scoring from Jungwirth and strategic plays by Teresa Duncan. However, the Racers closed the gap by the end of the period, trailing just by one at 52-51. The fourth period was fiercely contested, concluding in a dramatic tie of 73-73, pushing the game into overtime.

In overtime, Northwestern Ohio capitalized on free throws and critical three-pointers by Alysia Lawson to secure the win. Despite the loss, Faith Jungwirth's performance was a highlight, scoring a career-high of 28 points, followed closely by Lizzy Liedel with 25 points and 9 rebounds.

UP NEXT:
Madonna's next challenge is set against Cornerstone University on December 3, 2025, at home in Livonia. The team now holds a record of 2 wins and 5 losses, with league play standing at 0-3.