The Crusaders (9-2) opened the first round of the Valero/Chalmette Christmas Classic with a 63-40 win over St. Paul.
Brother Martin spent the entire game never looking back and controlled the first half. With a 12 point lead after three quarters of play, the Crusader hoopsters opened the fourth quarter going on a 10-4 run. Senior center Logan Mancuso got things started with a post up layup before Lewis converted on back-to-back layups. Austin Gauthreaux made a layup of his own which opened up Brother Martin’s lead to 43-26.
Junior Venjie Wallis score the final shot of the run scoring an “and-one” bucket, and Jordan Cornish drove the lane to score two layups on the next two possessions. This would bring the Crusader lead up to 20. With a huge lead, The Crusaders were able to put the Wolves away with tough defensive stands.
Cornish scored 20 points, junior guard Drew Lewis finished with 12 points, and junior forward Venjie Wallis added 11 points of his own for the Crusaders.
Brother Martin will play host Chalmette in the second round of the tournament tonight at 7:30 pm.
