LIVONIA, Mich.-- Madonna used a dominant opening quarter and a balanced offensive attack to defeat Michigan-Dearborn 64-53 on Wednesday evening in Livonia, Mich.

HOW IT HAPPENED:
The Crusaders seized control immediately, outscoring the Wolverines 18-2 in the first quarter and never trailing after Lizzy Liedel knocked down a 3-pointer in the opening minute off a feed from Adoreya Williams for a 3-0 lead. Madonna pushed the margin to as many as 20 points in the second quarter behind efficient shooting and a connected half-court offense, taking a 36-18 advantage into halftime after another 18-point frame.

Williams directed the Crusaders' offense throughout, finishing with a team-high 15 points on 7-for-14 shooting to go with six assists, three steals and three rebounds. Pierce Cephas added 13 points, hitting 4 of 7 shots from the field and 2 of 3 from beyond the arc while handing out four assists. Terre'ya Moore provided interior presence with a 12-point, 10-rebound double-double, adding two blocks and three steals as Madonna controlled the paint on both ends.

As a team, Madonna shot 46.3% from the field (25-for-54) and 37.5% from 3-point range (6-for-16), repeatedly capitalizing on ball movement that produced quality looks. The Crusaders assisted on 12 of their 25 made field goals and turned 11 steals into transition opportunities. Michigan-Dearborn, by contrast, struggled to find rhythm offensively, finishing 15-for-57 from the floor (26.3%) and 7-for-24 from deep while committing 24 turnovers, matching Madonna's 24 but paying a steeper price for the miscues.

Michigan-Dearborn mounted a push after halftime, outscoring Madonna 20-12 in the third quarter. Lillian Golson keyed the surge, knocking down a 3-pointer late in the period to trim the deficit to 45-36 with 1:11 remaining in the third. The Wolverines also used their work on the glass — finishing with a 36-34 rebounding edge, including 14 offensive boards — to generate second-chance opportunities and briefly shift momentum.

Madonna responded in the fourth quarter by tightening its defense and getting timely perimeter shooting. With the Crusaders' lead back in double figures, Breanna Gamble delivered a critical 3-pointer with 1:58 to play, stretching the margin to 64-46 and effectively ending Michigan-Dearborn's comeback hopes. From there, Madonna managed the clock and closed out the 11-point victory despite a late Wolverines flurry that produced a 15-point fourth quarter.

Golson led Michigan-Dearborn with 13 points, including three 3-pointers in 21 minutes, while Tamia Tounsel contributed seven points, a game-high 12 rebounds and one block. Still, the Wolverines' cold shooting and early deficit proved too much to overcome. Madonna's combination of early scoring punch, backcourt play from Williams and Cephas, and Moore's double-double in the frontcourt provided the foundation for a wire-to-wire home win.

UP NEXT:
The Crusaders will return home on Saturday, January 17th as they face off against Cleary University. Tip-off is set for 1:00 PM.