WARRIORS STAVE OFF RALLY BY AQUINAS, SECURE THIRD-STRAIGHT WIN

ROCHESTER HILLS, Mich. - It was a balanced effort across the lineup for RCU in an 84-80 victory over the Aquinas Saints on Sunday afternoon, with six Warriors scoring in double-digits to earn a third consecutive win. RCU saw a big-time performance from forward Tymias Williams, who scored 22 points on 8-11 shooting while posting solid numbers in all other stat categories. 

THE RUNDOWN

FIRST HALF

It was a battle of trading punches to start this one, with neither team able to build separation in the first half. RCU's offense made it a point to attack the interior, with several players, including James Fisher and Dustin Farrow, finding tough buckets on tip-ins and pick-and-rolls. Defensively, both teams were locked in, with neither team eclipsing the 15-point mark until RCU did so with under ten minutes in the opening period.

Off the bench, Williams was impactful immediately on both ends of the floor, finding post looks in the short corner and disrupting several passes by Aquinas. The Warriors found several openings for layups in the final minutes of the half, including a tough drive by guard Brody Parker to give RCU the lead. Parker struck again to end the half, hitting a pull-up jumper to put the hosts up 30-27 at the half. 

SECOND HALF

Fans were in store for a thrilling second half, with the Warriors starting out hot from the break. Parker and Gunner Walters were instrumental in kicking off the start, drawing fouls, and setting up in the midrange to get RCU a multi-possession lead. Ashton Goul added to the Warriors' offensive approach with two physical drives to the basket for layups, which opened up a wing three for Parker to give RCU an eight-point lead. Parker struck again a minute later, nailing another three on the wing off a dish by Williams to force a timeout.

The Saints' defense came out of the timeout with stout play, forcing the Warriors into tough possessions. However, the offensive glass became the source of the Warriors' points, with Williams, Goul, Farrow, and Fisher all finding ways to create second chances and stay ahead. Williams and Farrow connected on a block-to-block pass to give RCU momentum back after a brief run by the Saints. After another push by the Saints that saw them come within two points, Williams continued to find ways to attack the paint, scoring on layups to get the Warriors on a roll. 

Williams and Parker made a massive play for the Warriors with three minutes remaining, with Williams soaring for a chase-down block that led to a Parker layup in transition. With time winding down, the Saints kept fighting to stay in the game, scoring on and-ones and threes to challenge the Warriors' lead. However, some important free throws helped RCU guarantee the 84-80 win. 

STAT OF THE GAME

The Warriors controlled the paint on both ends, outscoring Aquinas 48-24 in that category. 

UP NEXT

The Warriors are excited to welcome the Rochester Church of Christ for RCC Church Night as the Warriors host #RV Cornerstone on Wednesday, Jan. 29. 

Hussein Murray - RCU Athletic Communications