Mont Alto, PA - Christendom Crusaders Men's Basketball triumphed over the top-ranked team in the USCAA, the Penn State Mont Alto Nittany Lions, with a dramatic 59-57 victory on Wednesday, January 29th.
The Crusaders immediately took advantage of the Nittany Lions' slow start with a layup from Michael Vander Woude (Freshman/ Nokesville, VA) putting up the first points of the night. Although Penn State briefly took the lead, the score remained close. About halfway through the first half, Christendom's Bobby Vander Woude (Junior/ Nokesville, VA) reclaimed the lead with multiple free-throws, making the game 17-15. The team went to the line 28 times in the game, converting 20 to give them an impressive 71.4% free-throw accuracy. Despite a tightly contested first half, the Crusaders had the momentum in the game, focusing on controlling the court both offensively and defensively. The first horn buzzed with the Crusaders barely over the Nittany Lions 28-26.
The second half brought similar results as the game remained up for grabs. Mont Alto brought impressive size and athleticism to the court, but Christendom stepped up to the challenge. On offense, the Crusaders fought hard to keep the lead and their momentum. John Fowler (Sophomore/ Tempe, AZ) made a crucial 3-pointer midway through the second half. Both teams continued to bring aggression to the court fighting for the top score. With only seconds to go, the Nittany Lions needed one basket to tie, but the Crusaders locked down on defense to secure the win. Competing hard until the final horn, the Crusaders came out victorious with a remarkable win over their highly ranked division rival 59-57.
Although the score remained close for the entirety of the match, the Crusaders kept their composure in the game. Fowler played a crucial role, ending the night with 22 points, while forward Daniel Schultz (Sophomore/ Fredericksburg, TX) dominated the boards with a total of 11 rebounds.
Next Up: The Crusaders will head to Jenkintown, PA to play in a conference matchup against Manor College this Saturday, February 1st, at 1pm.