NEW ORLEANS, La. – The William Crusaders clinched a decisive 99-84 victory over Dillard University on Monday night at Dent Hall, thanks to a strong finish in the first half.
 
"We had a lot of guys step up and make plays at the right moments throughout this game," said Assistant Coach Phillip McCray. "With the talent we have it's what we expect. Our energy was great, our toughness was great, and it resulted in beating a really good team in Dillard. Now it's time to move our focus to SSAC play."
 
The game started with the Bleu Devils hitting several three-pointers, forcing Carey to play catch-up. However, a dunk by Makeem Roberts tied the game at 8. Dillard responded with another three-pointer, regaining the lead, which they maintained until the 13th minute.
 
Carey fought back once again, with Malik Franklin sinking a jumper to tie the game. But a turnover on the defensive end allowed Arzika Seibou to score a layup, giving the Crusaders their first lead at 19-17.
 
The teams traded baskets for the next several minutes, with WCU managing a slim lead. After a pair of free throws pushed the Crusaders ahead by five, Jamar Jenkins ignited the crowd with back-to-back three-pointers. Seibou and Dominic Simpkins followed up with five additional points, extending WCU's lead to 39-23 with under seven minutes remaining in the half. The Crusaders maintained a double-digit advantage, heading into halftime with a score of 48-37.
 
In the second half, the Bleu Devils quickly cut the deficit to six points at 55-49 within the first five minutes. However, the Crusaders regained their composure, launching a 9-2 run over the next two minutes to increase their lead to 64-51.
 
Dillard managed to close the gap to ten points on two occasions, but each time, Carey responded effectively. With just over seven minutes left in the game and WCU leading 78-68, the Crusaders sealed their victory.
 
In a decisive three-minute stretch, WCU executed an 11-3 run capped by a layup from Travis Williams, extending their lead to 89-71. From that point on, they never looked back. The Crusaders showcased an impressive shooting performance, hitting 59% from the field and nearly 43% from beyond the arc. Their defense was also pivotal, contributing 27 points off turnovers, while the bench added an impressive 57 points.
 
Malik Franklin led the Crusaders with 18 points, closely followed by Jamar Jenkins with 16. Arzika Seibou added 13 points, and Troy Dunn contributed 12. Notably, Makeem Roberts nearly achieved a triple-double, finishing with 10 points, 10 rebounds, and nine assists.
 
The Crusaders will return to action on Thursday, January 8, facing Faulkner University in SSAC action, with tip-off scheduled for 7:30 PM at Clinton Gym.