Normal University Pioneers (Normal, IL) supporters left the game happy Thursday as they witnessed their basketball squad hold off the visiting Lutheran Crusaders (Rockford, IL), 57-55 in a non-league match.

With the victory, Normal University advances its record to 8-4 on the year. The Pioneers travel to North Lawndale (Chicago, IL) to face the Phoenix in a non-league match on Friday, December 27. The Phoenix enter the match with a record of 7-3. North Lawndale won 42-40 in their recent non-league match against Fieldcrest (Minonk, IL)

The Crusaders now own a 5-9 record. They put it on the line next when they travel to Fieldcrest for a non-league match on Friday, December 27. Lutheran will face a Knights squad coming off a 44-39 league win over Eureka (Eureka, IL). The Knights record now stands at 8-0.