Crusaders Win 2007 and WHAC Opener

January 3, 2007
Site: Livonia, Mich. (Activities Center)
Score: Madonna 74, Davenport 64
Records: MU (5-12; 1-0 WHAC), Davenport (5-10; 0-1 WHAC)
Next MU Event: Saturday, Jan. 6, 2007 -- vs. Indiana Tech -- 3:00 pm (Activities Center)

BOX SCORE

		D. J. Bridges led the Crusaders with 17 points in a 74-64 win over Davenport.

LIVONIA, Mich. -- The Madonna men's basketball team held off a late surge by Davenport for a 74-64 conference opening win at the Activities Center Wednesday night.

The Crusaders (5-12; 1-0 WHAC) led by as much as 21 points in the second half, but Davenport (5-10; 0-1 WHAC) trimmed MU's lead to just five points after a 17-7 run with 6:17 left in the game.

Madonna received a three-pointer from Charlie Henry (Canton, Mich./Agape Christian Academy) which gave the Crusaders an eight-point advantage and sparked an 8-2 run.

Davenport would again threaten after a free throw by Matt Barczak cut MU's lead to six points with 1:19 left in the contest, however, the Crusaders received six straight points from senior forward Doug Creighton (Taipei, Taiwan/Catholic Central HS) which sealed the win for Madonna.

Junior forward DJ Bridges (Canton, Mich./Canton HS) led the Crusaders with 17 points and six rebounds.  Senior guard Adam Kerfoot (Gaylord, Mich./St. Mary HS) added 14 points and dished out a game high five assists.  Both Henry and Creighton also registered double digits with each scoring 10 points respectively.

The Crusaders win on Wednesday marks just the second time ever that MU has started conference play in the win column, with the last time coming during the 1998-99 season after former head coach Bernie Holowicki led the Crusaders to an 87-73 win at Concordia.

Madonna will return to play on Saturday, Jan. 6, in the final game of a five-game home stand.  The Crusaders will host Indiana Tech in a 3:00 p.m. (ET) tip off.



Contact:
Tony Baldwin, Sports Information Director
(734) 432-5834
tbaldwin@madonna.edu