Lourdes kept the game against Madonna close throughout on Saturday afternoon at The Activities Center in Livonia, Mich., but was unable to take the after the first three minutes in a 73-65 setback against the Crusaders.
 
Julian Johnson (Columbus, Ohio/Horizon H.S.) led Lourdes with 17 points, making 6-of-8 from the floor including all three three-point attempts, while Zach Steinmetz (Toledo, Ohio/Saint John's H.S.) added 12 points.  E.J. Blackwell (Rochester, Pa./Rochester H.S.) tallied a double-double with 11 points and 10 rebounds while Alonzo Hamilton (Linden, N.J./The Robinson H.S.) also contributed 11 points.
 
Lourdes shot just 39.3% from the floor on the afternoon and was guilty of 14 turnovers.
 
The Gray Wolves led 5-2 early in the contest, but that would be the last lead they would hold on the day.  Madonna scored the next nine points and would never trail again, but the Crusaders were never able to put the Gray Wolves away until late.  Lourdes fought back to tie the game at 24, only to see Madonna score the next eight points.  The Crusaders led 36-31 at halftime.
 
In the first 12 minutes of the second half Madonna never pushed the lead past five, but the Gray Wolves were never able to tie or take the lead either.  Several times Lourdes pulled to within one, only to have the Crusaders score the next basket.  The lead grew to seven with five minutes to play, and to as many as eight down the stretch as Madonna kept the Gray Wolves from posting back-to-back victories.
 
Muhammed Zahr and Khalil Malone led Madonna (14-14, 11-9 WAHC) with 15 points each while Tyler Stewart added 13 points.  Chris Dierker posted a double-double with 12 points and 11 rebounds as well for the Crusaders. 
 
Madonna shot 46.7% from the floor and defensively blocked eight Lourdes shots.
 
Lourdes (10-17, 5-15) will play its final road game of the season on Wednesday evening as the Gray Wolves face Northwestern Ohio.  Tip-off is set for 7:30 p.m. at Racer Gymnasium in Lima, Ohio.