Crusaders Earn First Road Win in Sloppy Game in Kentucky

SOMERSET, Kent. - Crusaders Men's Basketball team hit the road fresh off a big win Wednesday over #1 Grace Christian to play a feisty Campbellsville Somerset team for what would be the proverbial trap game. GLCC came out to a sluggish start with turnovers and missed layups before they kicked it into gear midway through the first half. The Crusaders first half was led by Trent Temple's 12 first half points to take a 54-42 lead at the break. Despite the 12 point lead the Crusaders turned it over 10 times in the first half. GLCC was able to build their lead as big as 18 in the first half. 

In the second half the sluggish Crusaders allowed a young and hungry Tigers team to come out in the 2nd half on 8-0 run to cut the Crusader deficit to four. GLCC was in a dog fight the remainder of the game building their lead no bigger than 9 in the second half. JaQuin Jones had a season high 21 points off the bench including hitting 3/6 from downtown. The Crusaders were able to put the Tigers away with crisp execution in the half court, stops defensively, and timely free throw shooting. Evan Anderson had his first double double in the Crusader uniform with 10 points and 10 rebounds, while Isiah Reed registered his first double double of the season with 16 points 15 rebounds and 6 assists. The Crusaders move to 5-4 on the season with a 89-85 victory over the Tigers.

Inside the Box Score:

• The Tigers who normally shoot 25 percent from three shot a red hot 40 percent from three going 11/27. Crusaders went 10/26 from three
• Crusaders turned it over 19 times compared to the Tigers 18 times
• GLCC shot 57 percent from the floor in the first half compared to 36 percent in the second half
• Crusaders outrebounded the Tigers on the glass 42-39.
• Crusaders put 5 into double figures on the game

What Coach Says:

"We were fortunate to get a win today. This was a trap game and we lacked the focus and energy to get the job done today, and that is on us. We did not prepare as well as we should have for this team. We were not very good today, but we found a way to win and that is what matters. We would rather learn these lessons in wins than losses." On JaQuin Jones, "I was really happy with Jay. He played at a high level today. We needed that from him. He has been struggling from distance this year but he really played how we expected him to today. I was really proud of him." On rebounding, "Evan Anderson and Isiah Reed both rebounded at a high level today. I thought Marcus Riley and DonTre Garrett also rebounded well today. That has been our focus in practices as of late and I thought those guys really stepped up on the boards today."

What's Next:

Crusaders will continue their road swing to travel to Grand Rapids Tuesday to take on Davenport University at 7:00pm.