The Crusaders spoiled Jimmy Tillette’s ’68 SA homecoming as they came out of the locker room getting the big men in the low post involved early. William Clapp and Logan Mancuso each scored and kept Newman out of the paint and forcing the Greenies to rely on their perimeter shooting.
After missing his first three shots, Jordan Cornish finally connected to lift the Crusaders to an early six-point advantage. But Newman responded by sinking a pair of 3-pointers to send Newman on an 11-5 run to close the quarter trailing by only two.
The game remained close during the second quarter and at halftime, Brother Martin held a 31-26 lead.
The Crusaders (5-0) outscored Newman 17-6 in the third quarter and dominated the rest of the second half to beat Newman, 64-42. With the win, Brother Martin advances to the semifinals of the Allstate Sugar Bowl CYO Tournament and will face Hahnville tonight. The game will be played at Jesuit and will tip-off at 6:00 pm.
Coach Tillette letters in football and basketball at St. Aloysius. He has over 38 years of basketball coaching experience including 24 years in college at Samford, Tulane, and Mississippi State. He was named Newman’s head coach this past September.
