On Saturday afternoon the Lourdes University men's basketball team hosted the Crusaders of Madonna University in a WHAC matchup at the Sylvania Tam-O-Shanter.  It was Senior day for the Gray Wolves and Lourdes Senior John Willhite was honored before the game.


The Gray Wolves would open the game up with a three pointer from Elvin Butler. The Gray Wolves would open the game on a 9-2 run forcing the Crusaders to call a timeout with 15:22 remaining in the first half.


The Crusaders would fight back though with an easy layup after a steal to take their first lead of the game at 12-11.


The Gray Wolves would fight back though having the lead at the midway point of the half 22-20. The lead wouldn't last long though as the Crusaders would bounce back forcing a Lourdes timeout with 9:20 remaining leading 25-22. The Gray Wolves would get the lead back at 29-28 with 5 minutes remaining in the half.


The Gray Wolves would take a three point advantage into the locker room at 34-31.


Elvin Butler would lead the Gray Wolves at the break with 10 points including two three pointers. Bobby Naubert would lead the way for the Crusaders with 17 points.


The second half would start with some confusion for the Crusaders as they walked on the court as the halftime buzzer went off without a coach, so Sports Information Director Patrick Moore sat in as temporary coach bringing his 1-1 lifetime career coaching record with him. Luckily though for Madonna their coaches arrived shortly thereafter and resumed their role.


Lourdes would increase their halftime advantage to eight points with 15 minutes remaining after a basket by Corey Harvey.

Lourdes would make it a ten point lead with 14 minutes remaining following another basket by Harvey forcing the Crusaders bench to call a timeout.


Midway through the second half the game would tighten up to a two point Lourdes advantage at 49-47 after a three pointer by Bobby Naubert. Naubert would then bring the game even after a pair of free throws on the next possession to make it 49-49.


With 5:46 remaining the momentum was in full favor of the Crusaders as they led 57-52. The Gray Wolves would battle but not be able to get their offense going.


The Gray Wolves would put a quick six point run together to take the lead 58-57 with four minutes remaining.  The capper of a great run would be a nifty steal from Jake Dupree with 2:27 remaining and a quick pass to John Willhite who would bring the crowd to its feet with an emphatic slam causing a Crusader timeout with Lourdes leading 64-57.


Lourdes would play keep away and use the shot clock to its fullest down the stretch causing the Crusaders to have to foul  where Corey Harvey would make a pair of free throws. The Crusaders would respond immediately though with a three pointer by Travis Schuba with 33.5 seconds remaining and Lourdes leading 66-62.


The Gray Wolves would come up big in the end at the free throw line converting 10 of 10 chances and would walk away victorious 74-65.


The Gray Wolves would be led in scoring by John Willhite with 23 points for the Senior. Corey Harvey would add 18 and Elvin
Butler with 16.


The Crusaders would be led by Bobby Naubert and a game high 30 points.