Front Royal, VA – The Christendom Crusaders (14-10) defeated the Manor Blue Jays (12-9) 85-75 on Saturday, March 16, winning the ESAC Championship and ending their season on a five game winning streak.

Christendom started off hot with a three-pointer by Peter Ethridge (Senior/Phoenix, AZ) on their first possession, immediately followed by another three from Andrew Heisler (Senior/Front Royal, VA). The Blue Jays soon answered with a pair of free throws and two floaters to tie the game 6-6. Layups from Michael Messing (Junior/Bad Axe, MI) and Bobby Vander Woude (Sophomore/Nokesville, VA) allowed the Crusaders to regain the lead, and then another three by Heisler put the Crusaders up 13-9. From there, the Crusaders dominated the half. They continued to outpace the Blue Jays on offense and played tough defense, going into halftime with a 46-30 lead.

The Blue Jays came out of halftime strong, going on a 7-0 run to pull within nine of the Crusaders. However, a three by John Paul Vander Woude (Senior/Nokesville, VA) extended the Crusader lead. The Blue Jays still did not go away, and with 12 minutes to go they cut the Crusader lead down to six points, 52-46, but then a three by B. Vander Woude gave the Crusaders more breathing room. With three minutes to go, the Blue Jays pulled within 8, but two more threes by Heisler sealed the game for the Crusaders.

The scoring for the Crusaders was very well-balanced, with four players in double digits. Bobby Vander Woude led the team with 17-points, also adding 9-rebounds and 6-assists. All three seniors ended their careers with strong games: Andrew Heisler with 15-points, as he went 5-9 from behind the arc, Peter Ethridge finished with a double-double of 14-points and 12 rebounds, and John Paul Vander Woude ended the game with 14-points of his own.

With this win, the Crusaders ended their season with a 14-10 overall record (7-2 in conference) and the ESAC Conference Championship.