LIVONIA, Mich. — Mario Johnson's emphatic dunk with 18 seconds remaining punctuated an efficient second half as Madonna pulled away for an 81-69 win over Rochester Christian (Mich.) on Saturday afternoon on senior day. The Crusaders outscored Rochester 53-45 after the break to turn a tight game into a 12-point home victory in a contest played with two 20-minute halves.

HOW IT HAPPENED:

Madonna led 28-24 at halftime after a defensive-minded opening stretch, then relied on its perimeter firepower to create separation. Joey Liedel and Ahmoni Weston combined for 53 points, repeatedly answering Rochester pushes with timely shot-making. The Crusaders finished the day shooting 44.3 percent from the field and 34.8 percent from beyond the arc, while also owning a 42-32 advantage on the glass that helped control the tempo in the second half.

Weston helped Madonna seize early control with a pair of first-half jumpers, including a 3-pointer at the 13:09 mark that pushed the Crusaders ahead 12-6. Rochester responded with a 16-1 surge highlighted by a 3-pointer from Dustin Farrow and steady interior play from James Fisher, briefly flipping the lead to 16-13. Madonna regrouped defensively, holding Rochester to 24 points before the break, and a late Weston jumper in the final minute of the half sent the Crusaders into the locker room up four.

The Crusaders wasted little time extending that edge after halftime. Weston opened the second half with an early 3-pointer to make it 31-26, and Liedel followed with a triple off a Johnson assist to stretch the margin further. That sequence sparked one of several key runs for Madonna, which built its lead into double digits midway through the period as Liedel attacked off the dribble and the Crusaders continued to win the rebounding battle, including 12 offensive boards that generated extra possessions.Rochester, however, stayed within striking distance behind its athletic frontcourt. Fisher threw down a dunk near the 10:30 mark and Tyler Allen converted an alley-oop following a steal with just over six minutes left to trim the deficit to 64-52.

Later, Tymias Williams knocked down a 3-pointer at 3:33 to pull Rochester within 68-62, capping a stretch in which the visitors ramped up their pressure defense and forced part of Madonna's 17 turnovers.
Madonna answered each charge at the foul line and at the rim. Liedel, who finished with a game-high 28 points on 9-of-17 shooting, calmly sank two free throws with 31 seconds remaining to put the Crusaders up 79-69 and complete a perfect 6-for-6 night at the stripe. Weston added 25 points, going 7-of-17 from the floor and 8-of-10 at the line while also contributing four steals as part of a Madonna defense that collected 10 steals and disrupted Rochester's perimeter rhythm, holding it to 4-of-18 from 3-point range.

Williams led Rochester Christian with 19 points, eight rebounds and four steals in 33 minutes, while Fisher delivered an efficient 14 points on 5-of-8 shooting with seven rebounds and three blocks in 37 minutes. Darnell Turner Jr. added 12 points for Rochester, which shot 38.8 percent from the field. But Madonna's balanced offense, superior free-throw shooting (19-of-22, 86.4 percent) and late-game execution — capped by Johnson's closing dunk — ensured the Crusaders maintained control down the stretch and secured the home win.

UP NEXT:

The Crusaders will prepare for the WHAC Tournament with the Quarterfinal round on Thursday, February 26th. The Crusaders will face off against Aquinas with a time to be determined.