The North Greenville Crusaders fell just short of a second-half comeback, dropping the New Year's Eve matchup to the Lions of Mars Hill University with a final score of 64-61 in Mars Hill, North Carolina. After trailing by double digits, NGU fought back in the first half to trail by just two points with just under eight minutes remaining. However, Mars Hill would spend the remainder of the half opening the lead back up, leading by eight at halftime. The Crusaders trailed by double digits once again early on in the second half. However, a momentum swing would allow NGU to even up the score and even lead by one with 7:08 left. From there, the two teams would remain within striking distance of each other, but it would be Mars Hill to take the final momentum swing by scoring the final three points of the game in the final minute to secure the win.

Key Stat: 3FG% - Mars Hill would finish the game with a strong field goal percentage from three-point range at 45.0%, shooting nine of twenty from behind the arc. NGU would attempt twenty-four from three-point range, but would make just nine for a 26.3 percentage.

Results

• Score: NGU 61 / MHU 64
• Location: Stanford Arena / Mars Hill, NC
• Records: NGU 1-11 / MHU 3-8

Individual

• Caleb Williams put together a solid performance, finishing with nine points and eight rebounds.
• David Muncy scored double-digit points with ten while also posting two rebounds and a steal.
• Linus Helmhold finished with nine points, four rebounds, a block, and a steal.

Upcoming

• The Crusaders will return to action on Monday, January 2nd against the Saints of Limestone University in Gaffney, SC.