A Sam Ternes three put the Cleveland JV boys in front of host Mankato Loyola 3-2, but other than a Ternes two, that was all the Clipper scoring from the floor, and the Crusaders, tough on defense, led 29-14 at the break.
Carsyn Ryg grabbed an offensive rebound and put it up for a basket to start the second half. Mason Kluntz hooked in a bucket, Tanner Simonette took a Gavin Karels pass in for a bucket, and Karels put in a three to narrow the Clipper deficit early in the second half to seven, 23-30.
The Crusaders responded with a three and a two, but Karels dropped another three. Loyola scored from the floor, but Kluntz scored from under the rim to keep the Clippers within striking distance.
But the Crusaders came back with the next 11 points to stop the Clipper threat and lead 48-28. A pair of Karels free shots was the last of the Clipper scoring.
No Clipper hit double figures. Ternes, Karels and Kluntz each had eight points. Garrett Heldberg had three points as did Simonette.
The Clippers had three threes and made 11 of 16 foul shots, nine of them in the first half. Loyola rained eight threes and were four of 12 from the foul line.
The Clipper JV boys are back in action tonight (Tuesday) when Nicollet comes to town.
Above: Sam Ternes drive
