UNSELFISH PLAY KEEPS MEN'S BASKETBALL AHEAD OF MICHIGAN-DEARBORN

ROCHESTER HILLS, Mich. - It was a balanced effort for the Warriors (9-1, 4-1), with five players scoring in double digits in a 93-66 win against the Michigan-Dearborn Wolverines on Saturday afternoon. The Warriors found several buckets inside, thanks to great playmaking from Gunner Walters and Anthony Cukaj.

Across the board, Rochester had scoring contributions, including 31 combined points from Bralin Toney, Brett White, and James Fisher off the bench. Rochester was led by Cukaj with 14, while three other starters put up at least a dime.

THE RUNDOWN

FIRST HALF

• Defense was key for both teams at the start of the game, with things beginning slowly. Cukaj showed his playmaking ability with two great assists, including a backdoor find for Brandon Michrina. Rochester headed into the first media timeout, leading 14-10
• Walters would hit his signature turnaround jumper to help extend the Warriors' advantage, and Cukaj continued making reads offensively to keep Rochester ahead. However, Michigan-Dearborn showed plenty of fight, hitting big threes when needed
• Rochester hit the deck twice for charges to help stifle the Wolverines' offensive momentum, and Bralin Toney would find an open three thanks to great offensive execution by the Warriors
• After a brief run by the Wolverines, Brett White secured two crucial offensive boards, including a tip-in off his free throw miss to help extend the lead to double-digits. Walters pulled up for a jumper with two seconds remaining and hit it, giving the Warriors a 42-29 advantage

SECOND HALF

• The Warriors began strong, with Brody Parker and Walters scoring consecutive buckets to put Rochester up 15. After a few free throws by Parker, the Wolverines found some life, with forward Collin Miller hitting two deep threes to get Michigan-Dearborn within eight
• Cukaj played a great second half on the interior, getting several highly contested layups to go, sparking Rochester to get back to double-digits. Cukaj would find Michrina for an open three to help the Warriors regain momentum
• Walters and Toney continued the offensive outburst for Rochester, with Walters getting a few high-difficulty layups and Toney hitting consecutive threes to put the Warriors up 23. Walters had an and-one to continue the run for the Warrior
• The Warriors' Caleb Byrd and Trenell Payne would get baskets after turnovers to help seal the deal, 93-66

POSTGAME PRESSER

Head Coach Klint Pleasant had this to say about Cukaj's playmaking:

"He's a senior leader, no doubt. Just wants to win. I am incredibly proud of him, mostly because he's made himself into a total and complete player since he's been here. He came in, and people said all he could do was shoot. He's a complete player, and that's the biggest compliment I can give. Plus, he's a joy to coach."

STAT OF THE GAME

Today's game was the second instance this season of five or more Warriors scoring in double-figures, the first since Rochester's 116-59 homecoming victory over Lambton

UP NEXT

Rochester will face off with the Cleary Cougars (0-9, 0-5) on Saturday, Dec. 16 at 3 p.m.

Hussein Murray - RU Athletic Communications

Featured Image: Toby Buckheim - Buckheim's Photo & Film