Crusaders Lock Down Defensively in Win

Crusaders Lock Down Defensively in Win

Wyoming, Mich.- Great Lakes Christian College Men's Basketball team traveled up to Grace Christian University for the third time in as many games Friday evening. This time the Crusaders took on Johnson University Florida in the Grace Classic. JUFL came into the game looking for their first win of the season after starting their season off against four strong opponents. Early in the game Crusaders and Suns were trading baskets early. GLCC lost Quincy Green early in the game to a badly sprained ankle, but that did not deter the Crusaders. GLCC clamped down defensively from the jump suffocating the Suns in the half court. The Suns shot a mere 34 percent from the field in the first half. The Crusaders built their lead as big as 20 in the first half. Isiah Reed, Basit Seidu, and Ja'Quin Jones led the Crusaders offensive attack in the first half. GLCC took a 44-29 lead into the halftime break.

The second half Johnson FL came out early to cut the Crusaders lead as low as 10 points. Lance Adams and Isiah Reed got hot from three and built the lead up again to a comfortable margin. The GLCC defense continue to dominate and shut down the JUFL offensive attack in the second half, holding the Suns to 29 points again in the half. The Crusaders would cruise to their third straight win with an 88-58 point victory over the Suns. Isiah Reed and Ja'Quin Jones were a strong 1-2 punch on the evening. Reed picked up his first double double of the year with 22 points and 11 rebounds. He also dished out 4 assists. Jones scored 20 points to go along with 9 rebounds, 3 assists and 2 steals.

 

Inside the Box Score:

  • Crusaders held the Suns to a season low 58 points, and 34.8 percent from the field.
  • After starting the season shooting 29/102 for 28.4% from 3, the Crusaders have shot 47/108 from 3 for 43.5% in their last three games.
  • GLCC had a season high 53 rebounds today compared to the Suns 38 rebounds.
  • Isiah Reed has hit at five threes in each of the last three games.
  • Ja'Quin Jones has been in double figures every game this season

 

What Coach Says:

"I was very proud of our guys defensive effort. Our guys executed our defensive gameplan very well. We can clean a few things up, but keeping a team under 60 is tremendous. I keep challenging our guys defensively, and they keep responding to the challenge. Johnson puts a lot of pressure on you to guard with their dribble drive and we did a great job containing those guys off the dribble." On Quincy Green, "Losing Q obviously hurt, but we had other guys show up. We will get him back next week, but it just means we have other guys ready to step up." On the team's offense, "We have really done a good job sharing the basketball. We have so many guys who can make shots, and our guys are making the right reads and making plays. When we are making shots and defending the way we did tonight, we will be an extremely tough team to beat."

 

What's Next:

The Crusaders will take on Johnson University (TN) Saturday November 10th at home. Tip off is scheduled for 12:00pm. Johnson TN made it to the final four last year in the NCCAA National Tournament last season.