Box Score Franklin Springs, GA – A sluggish start for both teams turned into a scoring clinic as your Crusaders traveled to take on Emmanuel College in their second meeting of the season. The Crusaders led for the majority of the second quarter, however, gave up a late run to head into half time all square with the Lions at 36. Emmanuel never gave the lead back in the second half leading since the first basket. The Crusaders dropped their second meeting with the Lions despite standout performances by Haylee Luttrell (Freshman), Karen Donehew (Junior), Journey Muhammed (Freshman), and Kathleen Rogers (Sophomore) whom all scored in double digits.
1st Quarter
Neither team could hit the mark early as the Lions led by a point heading into the first media timeout of the game. Five early points by the Crusaders leading scorer, Donehew, kept the Crusaders close as the team collectively was having a slow beginning. A late run by Emmanuel gave them the lead heading into the second quarter (12 – 18) thanks to an abundance of fouls by the Crusaders.
2nd Quarter
The Lions scored first in the second quarter, but an offensive spark by the Crusaders at the seven-minute mark brought the lead back down to one (21 – 22). Ty Saunders (Sophomore), Muhammed, and freshman sensation Haylee Luttrell sparked the Crusader offense with great ball movement and tremendous finishes around the basket. The offensive spark gave North Greenville a substantial lead, however turnovers and fouls plagued the Crusaders late in the quarter allowing Emmanuel to tie the game heading to halftime. Luttrell finished the half a perfect 7 – 7 in the with two three-pointers.
3rd Quarter
The Lions scored first in the second quarter, but an offensive spark by the Crusaders at the seven-minute mark brought the lead back down to one (21 – 22). Ty Saunders (Sophomore), Muhammed, and freshman sensation Haylee Luttrell sparked the Crusader offense with great ball movement and tremendous finishes around the basket. The offensive spark gave North Greenville a substantial lead, however turnovers and fouls plagued the Crusaders late in the quarter allowing Emmanuel to tie the game heading to halftime. Luttrell finished the half a perfect 7 – 7 in the with two three-pointers.
4th Quarter
The Crusaders came out hot in the last quarter of play looking much like the team that beat D1 Furman a couple weeks ago. Muhammed and Rogers led the charge as North Greenville knocked down three baskets from range within the first three minutes of the quarter. However, a lack of defensive stops and hot shooting from Emmanuel kept the Crusaders from ever taking the lead in the quarter. Again fouls were the down fall for the Crusades as the Lions made 74% of their free throws. A late run by the Crusaders sparked by hot shooting by Ayano Shelton (Junior), Rogers, and Muhammed was too little too late at the Lions held on to win.
Individual
Haylee Luttrell’s shooting was perfect in the first half (7 – 7) and finished the game with 22 points and 2 assists.
Leading Scorer, Karen Donehew, finished with 17 points, 3 rebounds, and 2 assists.
Journey Muhammed scored 19 points off 63% shooting from beyond the arc.
Kathleen Rogers made multiple key shots finishing with 10 points on 60% shooting.
Upcoming
The Crusaders are scheduled for two more games this week as they travel to Cullowhee, North Carolina to take on Western Carolina this Wednesday at 7 PM in their last exhibition of the season. Then the team comes back to Tigerville this Saturday, January 26th, to take on Lees-McRae College at 2 PM for their second meeting of the season with the Bobcats.
