GALLATIN, Tenn- The Great Lakes Christian College Men's Basketball team played their first game at the Mideast Regional tournament against the host school Welch College. The Crusaders were in for a dog fight all the night, as the Flames faithful created a difficult environment for the Crusaders. GLCC struggled with foul trouble majority of the first half as Trent Temple and JaQuin Jones both were saddled with 3 fouls each in the first 4 minutes of the game. The foul count stood 10-1 at one point, but the Crusaders stayed with it and held the lead for the majority of the first half. The Flames went on a run to close the first half up 38-35. 

The Flames jumped out on the Crusaders early in the second half, as they built the lead as much as 13 points. GLCC stayed with it though as Jalen Huff, Isiah Reed, and Evan Anderson refused to be denied playing very well for the Black and Blue. JaQuin Jones gave the Crusaders the two point lead with a big transition three with just 2 minutes to go but Welch College would answer with big three point basket with just 50 seconds to go. Enter Jalen Huff, with the clock ticking down Jalen Huff put up the basket and missed but got his own rebound and put the ball in for the win with just .1 on the clock to give the Crusaders the win, with the win the Crusaders advance to the Mideast Regional semifinal to take on the Johnson Royals at 4:00pm est.

Inside the Box Score:

• Jalen Huff and Evan Anderson each had double doubles for the Crusaders with 17 points and 14 rebounds and 15 points and 12 rebounds.
• Crusaders out rebounded the Flames 46-43. The Crusaders 16 second chance points on 16 offesnive rebounds was big for GLCC.
• Crusaders shot just a mere 35 percent from the floor as Welch shot 41 percent from the floor.
• GLCC forced just 11 turnovers and committed 14.
• Foul count was GLCC 21 and Welch College 14.

What Coach Says:

"What a win, survive and advance at its finest. I am so proud of our guys overcoming adversity in a tough environment. They could have quit but they kept at it and found a way to win a tough game on the road. I am so proud of the guys." On Jalen Huff, "What a big play for Huff. No one deserves this more. Jalen has been through so much in his career and I was so proud of him stepping up in a big way. He showed why he is one of the best players in the country." On semifinals, "We have to change our best certainly and need to execute at a higher level than we did tonight. We know Johnson will be ready to play, and we will need to come out focused to get the job done."