Wilmore, Kent. - The Great Lakes Christian College Men's Basketball team took on the host school Asbury University Saturday night in the finale of the Asbury Classic. This was the Crusaders only second true road game of the year. The Crusaders and Eagles were very evenly matched in the opening fifteen minutes. Both teams would trade baskets with each other for much of the first half. Both teams were shooting at a blistering pace in the the first half. The Crusaders would make their move in the final 3:43 of the first half. The score was knotted up at 42-42 when the Crusaders amped up their defensive pressure to close the half on a 16-6 run. The Crusaders went into the break up 58-48. The 58 points were the most the Crusaders had scored in a half all season. The Crusaders shot an astonishing 60% from the field, while Asbury shot a hot 48.7 percent from the field.
In the second half the Crusaders started out the half well, but the Crusaders hot offensive performance would start to cool down. The Eagles continued to execute offensivley. The Eagles ran everything through 1st Team All American, Trenton Thompson. Thompson finished with a game high 29 points. The Eagles and Crusaders were in a dog fight over the last 9 minute with neither team growing past three points. The Crusaders were down two points with a ninety seconds to go, when Isiah Reed hit a big three from the right wing to give the Crusaders the lead for good. The Crusaders defense forced the Eagles into back to back turnovers over their next two possessions to seal the game. The Eagles had a chance to tie the game at the buzzer but the long three did not go down. Great Lakes Christian College Men's Basketball program would win with the final score of 90-87. The win over Asbury gives the Crusaders only their third win over an NAIA school in program history. The Crusaders had five players in double figures, led by Ja'Quin Jones and Isiah Reed's 19 points.
Inside the Box Score:
- After shooting 60 percent in the first half the Crusaders only shot 36.7 percent in the second half.
- Basit Seidu had a career high 14 points in the game
- JaQuin Jones nabbed his first double double of the season, with 11 rebounds and 4 assists to go along with his 19 points.
- Quincy Green just narrowly missed out on his double double with 13 points and 9 rebounds, including four offensive rebounds.
- The Crusaders went 13/30 from the three point line compared to the Eagles 8/22 from deep. The Crusaders have hit double digit threes in seven of nine games this season.
What Coach Says:
"This was a big win for our program tonight. Asbury is a very good team, and a quality NAIA program, for us to get this one on the road is huge for our guys. I love that these guys continue to show up and make plays late in games. Asbury is as tough of a team to guard as we have faced all season they have some really talented guys. We had so many different guys contribute in this win. The credit goes to the guys dominating their roles. I really believe our success is because our guys have a great understanding of who we are and what each guy needs to do for us to win. I cannot tell people enough how proud I am of this group." On the balance of the team, "I think that is the strength of our team. I believe we are so hard to game plan for because we have so many guys who can contribute and score. This team trusts each other and wants to get the best shot for the group."
What's Next:
The Crusaders will be back on the road Monday November 18th to take on Daveport University at 7:00pm