Crusaders Win Back-to-Back Nail-Biters on the Road

The Crusaders traveled to Pennsylvania over the weekend and won two tough ESAC matchups, defeating the Bucks County Centurions 70-68 and the Central Penn Knights 75-74.

Newtown PA – The Crusaders played the Bucks County Centurions on Friday, January 12.  Both teams came out strong, and the Crusaders gained the lead early on.  With five minutes left in the first half, the Centurions overcame the Crusader, to go up 29-27, but the Crusaders answered with a three-pointer by John Paul Vander Woude (Senior/Nokesville, VA) and led 39-34 at halftime.

During the second half, the Centurions came out strong and cut into the Crusader lead. The game remained close throughout the second half and the lead went back and forth between Bucks County and Christendom. With seven minutes to go in the first half, Bucks County went on a run. This lead to the Crusaders falling behind 54-60.  Then, two consecutive layups and a 3-pointer by Peter Ethridge (Senior/Phoenix, AZ) put the Crusaders ahead 61-60. With one minute to go, the Crusaders were behind by 2 points, but John Paul Vander Woude hit a three pointer to put the Crusaders ahead by one. The Crusaders made crucial defensive stops on Bucks' final possessions, ultimately winning 70-68.

Peter Ethridge led the Crusaders in scoring, with a double-double of 20 points and 15 rebounds. John Paul Vander Woude added 15 points and 8 assists, and Daniel Schultz had a strong game with 12 points, 7 rebounds, and 2 blocks.

Summerdale, PA - The next day, the Crusaders took on the Central Penn Knights.  Christendom came out strong, and their offense was clicking early on. Bobby Vander Woude (Sophomore/Nokesville, VA) hit multiple three-pointers in the first half and Daniel Schultz (Freshman/Fredericksburg, TX) scored on post moves in the paint, as the Crusaders went into halftime up 37-26.

During the second half, the Knights offense began clicking, and cut the Crusader lead down to 4 with 10 minutes to go. Bobby Vander Woude answered with back-to-back three-pointers, bringing the Crusader lead back up to 59-49. However, the Knights did not go away, and with one minute to go, they cut the Crusader lead to 75-72. The Knights then stole the ball from the Crusaders and scored again, cutting the lead to 75-74 with 35 seconds remaining. The Crusaders drained the clock on their final possession, and Central Penn regained the ball with 2 seconds left but were unable to score.  The Crusaders clinched the exciting victory 75-74.

The Crusaders swung the ball very well on offense, ending with 4 players in double digits: John Paul Vander Woude finished with 21 points, Bobby Vander Woude had 20 points, he ended with an impressive 6 three-pointers, Daniel Schultz had a double-double with 12 points and 12 rebounds, and Peter Etheridge had 10 points.

Up next – The Crusaders take on the Regent Royals at home on Thursday, January 18, at 7:00pm.