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Posted by Patrick Moore - Women's Basketball - Tue, Nov 10, 2009
Erin Bentley
Erin Bentley
Site: Auburn Hills, Mich. (Oakland Christian High School)
Score: Madonna 59, Rochester 52
Records: MU (1-0), RC (2-1)
Next MU Event: Thursday, November 12 at Moody Bible (Chicago, Ill.)

BOX SCORE

AUBURN HILLS, Mich. (MadonnaCrusaders.com) - - A trio of Crusaders in double-figures led by sophomore Erin Bentley's (Monroe, Mich.) 11 markers propelled the Madonna University women's basketball team past a scrappy Rochester College side by a 59-52 final on Tuesday night (Nov. 10) inside Oakland Christian High School. The game marked the season opener for MU.

In addition to Bentley's 11 points, MU got 10 points and nine rebounds from sophomore Heather Goodwin (Temperance, Mich.) and 10 points off the bench from senior Kim Olech (Canton, Mich.). 

After the game was tied 9-9 early on, MU jumped out to an 11 point lead at 21-10 with 10:13 left in the opening half, getting a pair of Olech scores along with a lay up from freshman Kristie Porada (Rockwood, Mich.) during the run.

The Warriors then made a run of their own, a 21-0 run over the next eight minutes to go from down 11 to up 10 at 31-21 as the Crusaders went ice cold from the floor, missing 10 consecutive shots from the field and turning the ball over twice.

A triple from Bentley stopped the bleeding and a made free throw by freshman Kaylee McGrath (Livonia, Mich.) sent the Crusaders to the locker room down six at 31-25.

Coming out of the break Madonna went on a 10-0 run over the first 5:15 of the half to go back on top at 35-31. 

The two sides traded baskets with Rochester going up by one (36-35) with 12:40 to play, before a 9-0 Madonna run - highlighted by a three from freshman Heather Pratt (Flushing, Mich.) - put the Crusaders on top for good. MU never let the lead slip below three the rest of the way, winning 59-52.

The Crusaders have little time to enjoy the season opening win as they will travel to Chicago to battle Moody Bible on Thursday. Tip off in the Windy City is set for 7pm (EST).

Contact: Patrick Moore (734) 432-5834