Basketball Game Preview: First Baptist Crusaders vs. Rochester Area HomeSchool

The First Baptist Crusaders will square off against Rochester Area HomeSchool at 7:45 p.m. on Monday. Having both just faced considerable losses, both teams are looking to turn things around.

First Baptist is headed into the game out to prove that what happened against North Metro on Monday (when they were outscored in every quarter) was just a minor bump in the road. First Baptist lost 73-47 to North Metro. The loss continues a trend for the Crusaders in their matchups with the Blazers: they've now lost eight in a row.

Jon Anaya put forth a good effort for the losing side as he went 5 for 9 en route to 12 points in addition to four blocks and three steals. He has been hot, having posted two or more steals the last six times he's played. Another player making a difference was Jared Dudek, who posted seven points and eight boards.

Even though they lost, First Baptist smashed the offensive glass and finished the game with 11 offensive rebounds. That strong performance was nothing new for the team: they've now pulled down at least 11 offensive boards in three consecutive matchups.

Meanwhile, it's never fun to lose, and it's even less fun to lose 97-55, which was the final score in Rochester Area HomeSchool's tilt against Prior Lake Christian on January 13th. Rochester Area HomeSchool was in a tough position after the first half, with the score already sitting at 52-30.

Rochester Area HomeSchool's defeat dropped their record down to 2-2. As for First Baptist, their loss dropped their record down to 8-10.

First Baptist suffered a grim 80-57 defeat to Rochester Area HomeSchool in their previous matchup on January 11th. Can First Baptist avenge their defeat or is history doomed to repeat itself? We'll find out soon enough.