Christian Life Academy claimed its third consecutive Class 1A state boys basketball championship on Friday, using a strong defensive effort in taking a 48-39 victory over Metairie Park Country Day in the Top 28 Tournament at the Cajundome.

Christian Life (41-2), the top seed, bolted out to a 14-2 lead in the game's first six minutes, and after Country Day (25-15) stormed back to tie the game at 24 early in the third quarter the Crusaders went on a 13-2 run and led by at least seven points the rest of the way.

"I don't think it was very pretty, but I'm glad I don't have to be pretty to win a state championship," said Christian Life coach Todd Foster. "I thought we did an excellent job defensively on them. They shot 14-of-46, we can't guard much more than that."

Timile Lewis, who had 19 points in Christian Life's 69-45 semifinal victory over White Castle on Tuesday, had 10 of his 16 points in the second half to lead the Crusaders. Langston Galloway added 14, including seven points in that third-quarter run.

It was on the defensive end, however, that Christian Life laid claim to its third straight title. The Crusaders, who won their first four state playoff games by at least 20 points each, held Country Day to 29.2 percent shooting, including a 2-of-21 showing from the three-point line.

Only three Country Day players scored in the game, although Eddie Ludwig finished with a game-high 26 points and 12 rebounds. Noel Keuboun added 10 points for the Cajuns, and those two players accounted for all but three of Country Day's points.

The Crusaders led 24-19 at halftime before Ludwig scored on back-to-back possessions, and his three-pointer with 6:05 left in the second quarter provided the game's only tie.

Galloway hit a three-pointer moments later to start a 7-0 run and helped Christian Life take a 37-27 lead into the final period. Ludwig, who had all but two of Country Day' 20 second-half points, cut the margin to seven at 44-37 with 1:01 left, but the Cajuns never got any closer.