Shooting Woes Plaque Crusaders all Weekend

MATTESON, Il.- Great Lakes Christian College Men's Basketball Team opened their season at the Governors State Tip Off Classic where they faced two top 25 caliber opponents right off the bat. The first night the Crusaders would take on perennial NAIA powerhouse #7 William Penn and Saturday they would take on (RV) IU Kokomo fresh off an NAIA Sweet 16 berth.

How it Happened:

Game 1

In game one the Crusaders would go toe to toe with the Statesmen for much of the game going back and forth including hold 14-13 lead early into the game, but Statesmen would use their size to on the offensive glass and make the Crusaders pay for turnovers to take a 9 point lead at the half. In the second half it was much of the same for the first ten minutes with the Statesmen and Crusaders trading baskets, at the 10 minute mark the Statesmen went on a quick 13-0 run over two minutes to take control of the game and making Crusaders pay for three straight turnovers. Crusaders would ultimately fall 107-80 to the Statesmen, shooting just 40 percent from the floor and 36 percent from three, the 15 turnovers from the Crusaders proved to be critical. Kevin Wright led the Crusaders with 16 points 9 rebounds and 5 assists

Coach Westerlund said this, "Reality is when you are playing the #7 team in the country you need to be sharp. Our transitions were not great tonight. It is something we talked about all week. William Penn plays with such great pace and they make you pay for mistakes. We ultimatelty did not make WPU pay for their mistakes. I think had we done a little better job there it could have been a different game, but credit to Coach Henry there is a resaon his group is always there at the end for NAIA national tournament. We love being measured and tonight we saw where we need to continue to grow."

Game 2

In game two the Crusaders would take on a talented and disciplined IU Kokomo team who had won by 26 the night before against the host school. In the early stages of the game the Crusaders could not buy a bucket and Kokomo had everything falling. The Crusaders came out flat as Kokomo would build their lead to almost 30 in the first half. GLCC would come out of the break and make things interesting cutting the lead to 18 with 14 to go forcing a timeout from Kokomo, with a chance to cut the lead to 16 a critical turnover stopped the bleeding for Kokomo and allowed them to settle back in. The Crusaders would not get any closer. Shooting woes continued for much of the second half as the Blue and White would shoot 33 percent from the floor and 15 percent from three. Crusaders would ultimately lose 79-49.

Coach Westerlund said, "We were not ready to play today. We did not compete or play with energy in the first half and you won't beat anyone with the effort we showed particularly in the first half. The second half our effort was much better I was pleased we held a good team to just 35 points in the second half defensively but this is a make or miss game and we did not make enough shots. We have got to get in the gym and get our reps, because we are getting good looks we just aren't making them. This weekend was good for us. It revealed a lot. I am excited for full week of practice before our next game."

Who's Next: Crusaders will take on Saint Mary's of the Woods College at Schoolcraft College November 5th 5p.