Box Score LIVONIA, MI. - In their opening game of the 2017-18 season the TIU Women's Basketball team came up short in a strong opening performance, falling to the Madonna Crusaders 84-70 on Saturday afternoon.

The Trojans came out strong to open the first half of the game thanks to key contributions from Bridgette Smith and Brookelyn Robertson. Smith totaled nine points while Robertson added eight of her own to give the Trojans a 39-38 advantage going into the halftime break.

The second half saw the Crusaders come out of the gate quickly and never look back. Madonna shot close to 60% from the field and saw their lead grow to as much as 16. The Trojans fought back late in the half but the offensive power of Madonna was just too much as the Crusaders would defeat the Trojans 84-70.

The Trojans will get the week off before playing Friday and Saturday at home against Emmaus and Kentucky Christian in next weekend's Trojan Classic.