LIVONIA, Mich.-The Mustangs tipped off the 2010 calendar with a road NAIA contest at Madonna University. The Crusaders welcomed the Mustangs to town after a 2-12 start to the season. The Mustangs entered the game with a record of 4-11.

The game featured two teams that struggled their way out of the gate for the 2009-2010 season. Both programs needed Saturday's matinee match-up as a catalyst to turn their respective season around.

The competitive battle between two hungry teams went into the break with the Crusaders holding a 35-33 edge. The second half was a tight battle as both teams exchanged buckets vying for the lead. In the end, the hard-fought battle would go down to the buzzer (Mustangs missed game-tying 3-pointer as time expired) as the Mustangs were upended by the Crusaders, 73-70.

A below average day on the charity stripe once again cost the Mustangs a chance at victory. The men from Marygrove missed 15 free throws on their way to a 23-for-38 day at the stripe (60%). Thirty turnovers, including six in the final five minutes, turned into 22 Crusader points.

Junior forward/center Eric Johnson (Southfield, Mich.) continued his strong play of late with another monster effort. The bullish big man had 25 points and 13 rebounds on the afternoon. Keontay Glazier (Pontiac, Mich.) poured in 11 for his highest total as a Mustang, while Marcus Hopkins and Justin McKinney reached double-digits with 16 and 11 respectively.