Crusaders Fast Start Propels Them to Victory

LANSING, Mich.- The Men's Basketball team was at home for the final time in 2019 calendar year to take on a quality NAIA opponent in Concordia University Ann Arbor. The Crusaders jumped out to a quick start and led from the 18 minute mark in the first half to the final buzzer. The Crusaders patented pressure defense gave the Cardinals fits forcing 13 first half turnovers and 22 for the game. GLCC defense held the Cardinals to just 27 points in the first half. The Crusaders used a balance offensive attack to take a 37-27 lead at the half. 

The Crusaders struggled from three for the day shooting just 3/18 from deep. In the second half the Crusaders kept the Cardinals at arms length building the lead to as much as 15 for the game. Evan Anderson scored a season high 14 points and grabbed 8 rebounds. JaQuin Jones led all scorers with 20 points off the bench. CUAA did make a run to cut the Crusader lead to five points late in the game, but the Crusaders hit free throws to seal the game for GLCC. The Crusaders improve to 3-4 on the win with 84-75 victory. Isiah Reed was honored for scoring his 1000th point before the game today.

Inside the Box Score:

• Crusaders turned it over just 11 turnovers while forcing 22 turnovers
• GLCC struggled from deep just shooting 3/18 but shot a season high 49.3 percent from the floor (35/71)
• GLCC shot 11/14 from the FT line compared to CUAA 9/16
• Crusaders had five in double figures.

What Coach Says:

"I thought today was as close to forty minutes that we have played all year. We did a good job flying around and getting after it defensively, I felt like we did a good job taking them out of what they normally do in practice." On the win, "It is always good to get a wi, especially when it is a win against a quality NAIA program. Felt like we had a lot dudes step up. I was really proud of Evan Anderson. He did great job and brought an ELITE energy. I also thought JaQuin started to look a lot like himself. He's been battling injuries all season, and this was good game for him. We need him to play at this level for us to be really good." On where team goes from here, "We have to keep working to get better. I feel like we are taking steps but there is still more for us to accomplish. We will keep changing our best."

What's Next:

Crusaders will take on #1 Grace Christian University at Little Caesars Arena at 12:45pm, Wednesday December 4th. This will be rematch of last year's National Championship game.