WARRIORS FALL IN FOURTH QUARTER TO CRUSADERS

LIVONIA, Mich. - The Warriors' second half against the Madonna Crusaders was a tale of two quarters, with the hosting Crusaders making a big final push to get past the Warriors 90-79. The Warriors put up an impressive third quarter, outscoring Madonna 33-22 to go up two. However, the Crusaders recovered to get past the Warriors and seal the game. Four Warriors scored in double figures during the matchup, including starters Melanie Moore (17) and Ashley Loon (16). The Crusaders saw major scoring contributions from guards Keairra Jennings (19) and Delani Robinson (18).

THE RUNDOWN

FIRST HALF

The first quarter of the game was a slugfest, with nine combined points between the teams in the match's first five minutes. The Warriors scored their first two baskets of the game off threes by Loon and forward Emily Lockey, but the Crusaders built some separation by focusing on transition offense. The Warriors went down by seven off a three from Robinson, but the Warriors stayed in the game thanks to their paint offense, with Shahd Bakkar and Tambre Wiliams scoring layups to keep RCU within two possessions. 

The Crusaders pushed the lead to double-digits to begin the second quarter, beginning with a 5-0 run before RCU got a much-need basket from forward Mylah Aalse in the paint. Williams sealed her defender for a layup on the next possession to cut the deficit to seven. The Crusaders kept their distance thanks to five consecutive points by Jennings, but Williams scored another layup to make sure things didn't get out of hand. Jennings and Robinson gave the Crusaders another 5-0 run to push Madonna up 15, but RCU's Karmyn Lowry nailed a three off a kickout by Williams to get the Warriors back in it. Williams continued her very impressive quarter with two more layups, helping the Warriors enter halftime down nine. 

SECOND HALF

The tide began to turn in the Warriors' favor thanks to a stellar two-man game between Moore and Bakkar, who connected on consecutive pick-and-rolls to cut the lead down to five in the blink of an eye. The duo connected a third time to answer a basket by the Crusaders, and Bakkar capped off the run with an and-one to put the Warriors one possession away from tying the game. Following some baskets by the Crusaders, the Warriors continued to fight, with Bakkar and Moore drawing fouls to tie the game on free throws. 

Former Warrior Chenelle King helped the Crusaders recapture the lead with an and-one, but the Warriors got a major break thanks to free throws by Loon and Samone Andrews to tie the game back up. Andrews nailed a three to give the Warriors their first lead since the first quarter before the Warriors got another steal thanks to Bakkar, setting up a transition basket for forward Jacey Somers. The Crusaders stormed back to cut RCU's lead to one, but with one minute remaining, Loon knocked down a deep three to keep the Warriors ahead. Heading into the fourth, RCU was up 62-60. 

Madonna saw a major contribution come from Marcela Rodriguez, who scored two baskets to give the Crusaders a 64-62 lead to begin the final period. Moore responded with a layup to tie the game, but Madonna kept the lead on the ensuing possession with an and-one by King. That and-one was crucial for the Crusaders, who used it to fuel a 17-0 run. The Warriors finally broke the ice with 3:43 remaining, thanks to a three from Loon. However, the Crusaders' run was tough to overcome for RCU, who couldn't get back into the game in time to beat the final buzzer. 

STAT OF THE GAME

The Warriors hustled on the offensive glass in this game, with 13 offensive rebounds to the Crusaders' six. Nine different Warriors recorded an offensive rebound. 

UP NEXT

The Warriors take a week off before returning home to face the Lawrence Tech Blue Devils on Dec. 14 at Garth Pleasant Arena. Game time is set for 1 p.m.

Hussein Murray - RCU Athletic Communications

Featured Image Courtesy of Madonna Athletics