(Livonia, MI) – Concordia men's basketball faced off against Madonna on Wednesday night in a WHAC conference matchup. The Crusaders entered the game ranked #22 in the country with a 14-5 overall record and a 6-3 WHAC mark. Madonna jumped out to an early lead and the Cardinals were unable to mount a comeback, falling 84-62.
Greg Alexander (SR/Middle River, MD) led Concordia with 18 points, going 4-8 from behind the arc. Jerald Booker (SR/Southfield, MI) finished second with 17 points and a team-high 9 rebounds. Paul Zysk (SR/Somerset, MI) was also in double figures with 13 points.
A free throw from Paul Zysk gave the Cardinals their first point in the contest. Madonna jumped out to a 14-3 lead but Matt Lockhart (SO/Fraser, MI) kept Concordia in the game with a layup. A pair of baskets from Greg Alexander cut the team's deficit to 16-9 at the 12:20 mark.
After the Crusaders responded with 5 unanswered points, CUAA put together an 8-0 run to pull within 4 points. Thomas Hronis (JR/North Ridgeville, OH) and Jerald Booker drained 3-pointers and Jerald Booker completed the run with a layup, making the score 21-17 with 8:35 to go.
Booker added another basket off an offensive putback, however Madonna used a 16-4 run to build a 37-21 lead. Greg Alexander stopped his team's scoring drought with a triple but Concordia trailed 38-25 at halftime.
Greg Alexander began the 2nd half by splitting the defense and making a layup. Paul Zysk and Jerald Booker added early baskets, but the Crusaders continued to maintain a double-digit lead.
Matt Lockhart made an impact with a dunk at the 14:10 mark. The Cardinals kept pace from behind the arc with triples from Jerald Booker, Bernard Kasanda (SO/Lawerenceville, GA) and Greg Alexander as the half went on. CUAA trailed 57-47 with 9:08 left to play.
Alexander added another pair of 3-pointers and Jerald Booker added a pair of free throws, but Madonna continued to convert on the offensive end. Austin Harless (JR/Holly, MI) chipped in a coast-to-coast layup and a free throw late in the game, but the Crusaders came away with the 84-62 win.
Concordia will play their next game on Saturday, January 18 when they travel to rival Siena Heights. Tip-off is set for 3pm following the conclusion of the women's game.
