Box Score

For the second time this season Lourdes set a school record for fewest points allowed in a game, surrendering just 31 on Tuesday night in a 53-31 victory over Michigan-Dearborn at the UMD Fieldhouse in Dearborn, Mich.
 
The Gray Wolves, which set its previous record of 33 against Lawrence Tech less than three weeks ago, have not allowed more than 51 points in a game since the season opener and have now won five straight games, the second longest winning streak in school history.
 
Lourdes forced 15 Wolves turnovers and held the hosts to just 24.4% shooting, including just 1-of-12 from three-point range on its way to improving the best start in program history.
 
“It was a total team effort defensively tonight,” head coach Andre Smith said after the game.  “We tried to make it difficult to get good looks and did a great job rebounding the basketball.”
 
The Gray Wolves never trailed in the contest, but were tied at 11 with under 11 minutes to play in the first half before going on an 18-3 run to end the half, taking a 29-14 advantage into the locker room.  Michigan-Dearborn was held without a basket for the final 13:09 of the opening stanza.  The Wolves made just 2-of-16 shots total in the first 20 minutes.
 
Leading 38-20 with 16 minutes to play, Michigan-Dearborn went on a run of its own.  Seven straight points cut Lourdes lead to 11, but the Gray Wolves immediately responded with six points of its own, four coming from Elvin Butler (Akron, Ohio/East H.S.), to regain a 17-point advantage, 44-27.  Lourdes would allow just two more field goals over the final 13 minutes on its way to its second straight road conference victory.
 
“The defense stepped up and did what they needed to do,” Smith stated.
 
Butler and Corey Harvey (Hilliard, Ohio/Davidson H.S.) led the way with 10 points each for Lourdes with Butler also pulling down a team-leading nine rebounds.  Lourdes outrebounded the Wolves 44-21 in the game and has now outrebounded all six opponents this season. 
 
Julius Porter led Michigan-Dearborn (2-4, 0-2 WHAC) with 14 points.
 
“Our guys will get a nice little break now which is probably much needed,” Smith concluded.  “Getting back-to-back road wins in this conference is huge.  Now we have a chance to recharge and get ready to go next Wednesday night.”
 
Lourdes (5-1, 2-0) will have eight days off before returning home to face Madonna on Nov. 28.  Tip-off is slated for 8 p.m. at Tam-o-Shanter.  The Gray Wolves' previously scheduled game for Saturday, Nov. 24 against Indiana Dabney has been cancelled.