Men's Basketball picks up 86-83 win over Rio Grande to open Faith Works Classic

(Rochester Hills, MI) - The Rochester Christian men's basketball team opened up play at the Faith Works Classic as they took on the Red Storm of Rio Grande. The Warriors shot the ball at a 51.8% clip for the game, including 43.8% from deep, to pick up the 86-83 win to move to 4-1 on the season. 

FIRST HALF

Following an opening bucket from Dustin Farrow, Linden Holder made his first of four threes in the game. James Fisher continued RCU's scoring with a pair of dunks, with one on a breakaway to give a slight 11-10 lead, which would be the final lead change in the game. Over the next couple of minutes, the team scored points with Holder adding a pair of threes. Tymias Williams and Jamil Mashhour got in on the scoring with a dunk and a three-pointer, respectively. 

The final 10 minutes of the half would see the teams continue to trade points, with Jamil Mashhour grabbing a couple of buckets. RCU grabbed four straight points on free throws before Tymias Williams added a layup and Linden Holder netted a buzzer-beater for the 48-43 lead at the half.  

SECOND HALF

Tyler Allen opened the scoring in the second 20 minutes for RCU, responding to the Red Storm's opening possession bucket. Tymias Williams responded multiple times to Rio's scoring, as RCU stayed ahead by two throughout the first couple of minutes of the half. Fisher and Williams added back-to-back baskets, giving the Warriors a nine-point lead and forcing a Rio Grande timeout. 

Following the under-10 media timeout, James Fisher added his third dunk of the game, and Mason Parker followed with his first basket. Both teams would go scoreless for almost four minutes before the Red Storm fought back to tie the game at 74. Tymias Williams scored four points in a row, and Tyler Allen built the lead back to six points with a layup. Tyler Allen and Linden Holder held off the Rio Grande comeback, making multiple free throws in the final minute. 

TOP PERFORMERS

Four Warriors tallied double-digit points, as they were led by Linden Holder with 18 points, while Jamil Mashhour, Tymias Williams, and James Fisher recorded 17, 15, and 12, respectively. Williams led the team with five assists.

Tymias Williams led the rebound effort in the game with 12 rebounds, while Jamil Mashhour tallied eight. James Fisher and Darnell Turner Jr. each recorded two steals in the game. 

UP NEXT

The Warriors will be right back in action on Saturday, November 15, as they host the second day of the Faith Works Classic. RCU will take on the Trinity Christian Trolls at 1 PM.