WARRIORS IGNITE HOME CROWD IN VICTORY OVER CLEARY

ROCHESTER HILLS, Mich. - The home crowd at Garth Pleasant Arena was given plenty to cheer about on Wednesday night, with the Warriors (15-6, 10-5) emerging victorious over the Cleary Cougars (1-19, 1-14) 71-60. Rochester executed well on the offensive end, finding several backdoor cuts for scores during the game.

Forward Brett White continued his excellent play with 23 points and 15 rebounds (career-high), leading Rochester. Center James Fisher showcased his efficient scoring with 16 points and five rebounds, while guard Gunner Walters provided 10 points, eight assists, and five rebounds.

THE RUNDOWN

FIRST HALF

• Rochester's defense got the team off to a good start, with the team up 11-2 early behind Fisher's paint presence. Rochester's offense continued to turn opportunities into points, with center Stavros Polatoglou scoring and finding White for another
• The Cougars quietly crept back into the contest, not before guard Anthony Cukaj grabbed the first of his three steals on the night to set up Fisher for a fastbreak lob. Cleary cut the lead to three, but Fisher kept Rochester ahead with 12 points in the half, drawing fouls on the Cougars. Following contact drawn by White, the Warriors embarked on an important 8-2 run to close out the half, which included four made free throws from White, a jumper from Walters, and a tough layup by Polatoglou

SECOND HALF

• The Warriors exploded out of the halftime break with an 11-2 run kicked off by a thunderous dunk from Fisher off a great pass from White. White nailed two consecutive threes, and guard Bralin Toney pieced together a three of his own, hitting three free throws after getting fouled in the corner
• The Cougars made another push, getting the deficit to ten. However, White forced a steal that set up Toney for a fastbreak layup to help Rochester regain momentum. Shortly after, Walters and Cukaj connected on a backdoor cut to the delight of the Garth Pleasant Arena crowd, followed by another splendid dish to White from Walters
• White was all over the glass in the second half, pulling down nine rebounds in the period, including a brilliant tip layup to put Rochester up 17. The Warriors got the bonus early and capitalized with a very efficient day at the line. Rochester hounded the paint, making accurate passes that led to and-ones. The Cougars made another quick run at the end with some consecutive threes, but it wouldn't prove to make an impact, as Rochester left with a 71-60 victory at the buzzer

STAT OF THE GAME

The Warriors shot 18-21 from the free throw line, the most accurate percentage the team has shot in a single game all season (85.7%).

UP NEXT

The Warriors travel to Don Ridler Fieldhouse for a matchup with the Lawrence Tech Blue Devils on Saturday, Feb. 3 at 3 p.m.

Hussein Murray - RU Athletic Communications

Featured Image: Hanna Swanson - RU Athletics