Crusaders down Vikings 50-44
Central Valley. Win halts three-game skid, keeping playoff hopes alive.
![Crusaders down Vikings 50-44 Will Fuchs hits a three-point shot in the first quarter, one of six he made on the night.](http://www.thephoto-news.com/binrepository/244x432/0c0/0d0/none/1050949/BVDQ/pn-boys-basketball-1-14-20-1-jpg_4-403627_20200115122752.jpg)
![Crusaders down Vikings 50-44 Pablo Quinones drives to the hoop in the first half.](http://www.thephoto-news.com/binrepository/288x432/0c0/0d0/none/1050949/OBKQ/pn-boys-basketball-1-14-20-12-jpg_4-403683_20200115122753.jpg)
![Crusaders down Vikings 50-44 Jack Harris gets off a shot in the first half.](http://www.thephoto-news.com/binrepository/255x432/0c0/0d0/none/1050949/OAKQ/pn-boys-basketball-1-14-20-13-jpg_4-403684_20200115122754.jpg)
![Crusaders down Vikings 50-44 Jared Fernandez looks for a opening in the Vikings' defense.](http://www.thephoto-news.com/binrepository/308x432/0c0/0d0/none/1050949/OYKA/pn-boys-basketball-1-14-20-14-jpg_4-403685_20200115122755.jpg)
The Crusaders took on the Vikings of Valley Central at home on Tuesday night, Jan. 14.
They entered the game with a 3-6 record on the season, desperately needing a victory to stop their three-game skid and to keep their playoff hopes alive. The Crusaders beat the Vikings 58-31 back in December in their season opener.
In a slow moving first quarter the Crusaders pulled ahead with Will Fuchs hitting two three-point shots to put the the team up 11-6.
The Vikings battled back in the second quarter and took the lead but Fuchs' outside shooting brought the Crusaders right back as he knocked down three more three-pointers and the Crusaders took a 22-17 lead into the half.
Fuchs had a big night as he scored 22 points and hit six three-point shots in the game.
In the third quarter, the Crusaders defense tightened up and Josh Castro scored five as the team stretched the lead to 33-24.
In the final quarter, the Vikings made it into game but Pablo Quinones hit six free throws down the stretch to preserve the Crusaders' 50-44 victory.
The Crusaders' win brings their record to 4-6 on the season. Their next game will be on Friday night when they travel to Kingston to face the Tigers.
- William Dimmit
Photo 1-
Will Fuchs #1, hits a three point shot in the first Qtr. Photo 2-Pablo Quinones #20, drives to the hoop in the first half. Photo 3-Jack Harris #13, gets off a shot in the first half. Photo 4-Jared Fernandez #23, looks for a opening in the Viking’s defense.