Crusaders take Saturday’s game over Yellow Jackets

LIVONIA, Mich. - For the second time this season, the Madonna Crusaders escaped with a win over the Defiance College Yellow Jackets. This time, its win was captured on its home court at Alliance Catholic Credit Arena, 61-47.

After a Madonna free throw to start the scoring, Katlin Barret had the first field goal of the contest to kick start the first quarter. Four-consecutive Crusader points put them ahead 5-4 until Barrett hit both free throws at the line. With 2:50 remaining in the quarter, Madonna put up a three to increase its lead 11-4. It didn't score again as the buzzer hit zero, while Defiance ran away with four points, ending the first 11-8. 

In the second, the Crusaders got the jump on the Yellow Jackets outsourcing them 9-2 in the first five minutes. Both teams continued to put points on the board, but three free throws from Madonna allowed it to stay comfortably ahead 26-18. In only the first half, 26 free throws were shot — 17 total made — making up 38% of the scoring. Barrett led the team with six points.

A Candyce Hollins three began the third quarter. In the next four minutes, the Crusaders had a spurt of energy with 11 points and holding onto an 11-point advantage. Down 39-25 with 5:28 left in the period, Defiance jetted out to score six points and squander some of the home team's lead. Jourdyn Wynn hit her first three of the night, which completed the quarter and Madonna led 45-38.

Back-to-back scoring in the first minute of the fourth quarter was halted until 6:38 when a good Crusader layup created another 11-point deficit for the Yellow Jackets. Yet, Defiance tried to stay hot on their tail gathering as many rebounds as possible to retain possession of the ball. A jumper by Hollins brought DC within nine as four minutes remained. Twenty-one seconds on the clock, JaKiah Mitchell hit a free-throw to end the day's scoring. 

This made a second-consecutive Crusader win as on Nov. 30, 2024, Madonna bested Defiance 59-47 at Karl H. Weaner Center. This was the first all-time matchup between the Crusaders and the Yellow Jackets. 

THE TURNING POINT

The Yellow Jackets came out of halftime confident, making it a 5-point game. Madonna, however, kept making shots to stay ahead, slowly increasing their lead as the half went on. Despite their 10 points off turnovers and 11 good second-chance opportunities, they couldn't quite escape the Crusaders offense. 

A CLOSER LOOK

• Four Yellow Jackets tied to lead the scoring with eights points each: Ali Mowen, Morgan Crowe, Taylor Haynes and Katlin Barrett

• Barrett tied for a season individual-high in blocks with four

• Both Haynes and Mowen tied going 100% from the free-throw line

• Defiance shot better from three by over 10%, 5-0f-20

• DC's bench contributed to 29 of its 47 points

UP NEXT

The Yellow Jackets will continue their four-game road stint in Northwestern Ohio's arena, The Garage, in Lima, Ohio. Tip is scheduled for 5:30 p.m.

-JACKETS-