WEST PALM BEACH, FLA. - -

The Madonna University Crusaders lost the opening game of their southern road trip to Northwood University of Florida by a score of 65-58.

Kevin Henry (Toledo, Ohio) led Madonna with 20 points and four assists on 7-16 shooting from the field.

Madonna held the high powered Northwood offense to 22 points in the first half of action after the Seahawks scored 109 points in their season opener. The Crusaders held a one game lead at the break with the score 23-22.

Madonna matched Northwood point for point for the first six minutes of the second frame. With the score knotted at 31 all the Seahawks went on a 17-0 run over the next five minutes of play.

The Crusaders battled their way back into the game cutting the lead to six with two minutes remaining before Northwood stretched their lead to 10, at 59-49, with 52 seconds to play.

With 46 seconds on the clock Mitch Cieslak (Brighton, Mich.) hit a three cutting the Seahawk lead to seven. Northwood pushed the lead back to nine with a pair of free throws from Onur Embil. With the Crusaders down nine Jordan Hoke (Byron Center, Mich.) sank a deep three with 33 seconds remaining to cut the lead to six. Madonna quickly fouled Ryan Hayes who missed both free throw opportunities.

Cieslak hit his second three in the final minute of play with 27 seconds on the clock to cut the lead to three, 61-58, with 27 seconds remaining in regulation.

From that point on Northwood two free throws and a layup to seal the seven point victory.

With the loss Madonna drops to 0-6 for the season. They finish their tour of Florida Saturday when the travel to Ave Maria for a non-conference game. Tip-off is set for 5 p.m.