WARRIORS' COMEBACK FALLS SHORT AGAINST MADONNA AT HOME

ROCHESTER HILLS, Mich. - Despite some incredible efforts by the Warriors, RCU couldn't overcome a hot start by the Madonna Crusaders on Saturday afternoon in Garth Pleasant Arena, falling 92-81. The Warriors got a formidable performance from forward Brett White, who scored 31 points on 12-21 shooting. Fellow forward Dustin Farrow put up a 10-point, 11-rebound double-double in the contest. 

THE RUNDOWN

FIRST HALF

It was an uphill battle from the start for RCU, with the Crusaders on fire from the get-go. Madonna started the game 9-10 from the field, which put the Warriors down 19-5 early. RCU began to slowly chip away at the early lead, with White scoring an and-one to give RCU's crowd some life. The Crusaders continued to pace RCU for much of the first half, heading up 35-15. The Warriors found a spark on the next possession when Gunner Walters found James Fisher for an open layup. 

That basket was the first two points of a 15-0 run by RCU, with White scoring the next two baskets on tough midrange jumpers. Forced turnovers added to the avalanche by the Warriors, with the run being capped off by a kickout three from White to bring the game to 35-30. The Crusaders regained the momentum after that, hitting three threes in the final five minutes to head into halftime up 48-34.

SECOND HALF

The Crusaders continued to light it up from three to begin the second half, overcoming several turnovers forced by the Warriors. The Warriors began to chip away again from the first media timeout, thanks to consecutive threes from White and Walters. However, the Crusaders had an answer for every run the Warriors went on, as the visitors powered up to a 71-52 lead. 

It was Ashton Goul's turn off the bench to give the Warriors a fighting chance, with the forward hitting back-to-back threes to bring the deficit down to 11 with eight minutes remaining. After a couple baskets by the Crusaders, White began to go on a tear, scoring eight points in under two minutes to finally bring RCU within single digits. RCU got the lead down to as much as seven thanks to big baskets by Farrow and Goul, but Madonna had one last answer with a steal and score to seal the game at 92-81. 

STAT OF THE GAME

Following his 31 points, White enters RCU's top five all-time in career 30-point games. 

UP NEXT

The Warriors face off with the Michigan-Dearborn Wolverines on Wednesday, Jan. 12. Tip-off is at 7:30 p.m., with the Warriors traveling on the road. 

Hussein Murray - RCU Athletic Communications

Featured Image: Hannah Mitkus - Hannah Mitkus Photography