WARRIORS FALL TO MADONNA ON THE ROAD

LIVONIA, Mich. - The Warriors fell to the Madonna Crusaders at Alliance Catholic Credit Union Arena on Dec. 7 with a score of 81-65. The Warriors, who have dealt with a slew of injuries in their lineup, weren't able to overcome strong scoring performances from several Madonna starters. Leading RCU was forward Brett White with 20 points, while guard Brody Parker added 17. For the Crusaders, three players scored at least 19 points. 

THE RUNDOWN

FIRST HALF

The teams traded paint baskets for the first five minutes of the contest, which played out fairly slow. Center Stavros Polatoglou had a solid start to the game, logging a basket, two steals, and two defensive rebounds during the stretch. After the Crusaders took the lead at the 15-minute mark, the Warriors' Gunner Walters helped set up two straight baskets for the Warriors, including a dish to White for a three to take the lead. Polatoglou continued his strong half with an offensive rebound into a putback, keeping the Warriors ahead. 

The Crusaders started to turn things around on their end with a 7-0 run to regain the lead, hitting two layups before forward Brendan Young knocked down a three. Parker answered with a three of his own a minute later, but Crusader guard Ahmoni Weston knocked down a three to offset the Warriors' shot. The teams went back and forth from there until the four-minute mark, where the Crusaders went on a big run to go ahead by three possessions at halftime. 

SECOND HALF

Forward Dustin Farrow would find Parker for a midrange jumper to begin the second half for the Warriors, but the Crusaders matched the offensive output of RCU with scores of their own. Forward Ashton Goul knocked down a three for the Warriors to get the game back within single digits, but the Crusaders instantly answered with another three by Young. Madonna's lead continued to grow from there, with the home team knocking down more threes to stay ahead by 14. 

The Warriors got some baskets in transition thanks to forced turnovers, but Madonna wasn't budging despite the mistakes. Young scored five straight points to get the Crusader lead up to 16, putting the Warriors in a challenging position. Goul knocked down his second three of the game to try and chip into the lead, giving RCU some new life. White drew a foul on the next possession and hit both free throws, and the Warriors got another stop. The lead would be cut to nine after Goul snagged an offensive rebound that set up a three for Parker. However, the Crusaders would make sure to knock down their free throws when the Warriors decided to foul, putting the game out of reach for RCU. 

STAT OF THE GAME

Goul's eight points and six rebounds were both career-highs. 

UP NEXT

The Warriors return home to Garth Pleasant Arena, hosting the Lawrence Tech Blue Devils on Saturday, Dec. 14. Tip-off occurs at 3 p.m.

Hussein Murray - RCU Athletic Communications

Featured Image Courtesy of Madonna Athletics