WHAC SEMIFINAL PREVIEW: Men's Basketball set for rematch against Indiana Tech

(Rochester Hills, MI) - The Rochester Christian men's basketball team is heading to Fort Wayne, Indiana, on Saturday, February 28, for the Semifinal round of the Wolverine-Hoosier Athletic Conference (WHAC) Tournament. 

GAME INFORMATION

#3 Rochester Christian Warriors vs #2 Indiana Tech

February 28 | 1 PM | Schaefer Center | Fort Wayne, IN

Live Video | Live Stats

ABOUT THE IIT WARRIORS

Indiana Tech is led by Head Coach Ted Albert, who is in his ninth season, leading the Warriors. He has an overall record of 214-77 in his nine years. 

Indiana Tech has five Warriors averaging double-digit points, with Jaxson Fugate leading the charge at 20.7 points per game, which is third most in the WHAC, while Blake Davison is second on the team with 16.7 points per game. Davison is also top on the team and fifth in the WHAC in assists per game at 4.3, while Fugate is second at 3.1 assists. 

Jaxson Fugate also leads the team in rebounds at 8.2 rebounds per game, which is fourth in the conference, and blocks at 1.7 per game. Blake Davison is also second on the team in rebounds at 6.1 per game. 

ABOUT THE RCU WARRIORS

The Warriors are led by 15-year Head Coach Dr. Klint Pleasant, who has compiled a record of 327-115 at RCU. 

Five different Warriors tally double figures in points, with Tymias Williams leading the team with 18.7 points per game (5th-most in the WHAC). James Fisher (13.3), Linden Holder (11.9), Darnell Turner Jr. (11.9), and Tyler Allen (11.4) all average in double figures as well. Fisher leads the WHAC in field goal percentage at 68.1%, while Linden Holder is tied for third in the conference, averaging 4.7 assists per contest.

Tymias Williams and James Fisher lead the rebounding effort this season, pulling down 7.9 (4th in the WHAC) and 6.9 (7th in the WHAC) rebounds, respectively. Tymias Williams is top in the WHAC this season, averaging 2.5 steals per game, and is fifth in blocks per game, averaging 1.4. 

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT (PREVIOUS MATCHUPS)

Indiana Tech holds the all-time series with a 16-5 record, as well as holding a 2-1 record against RCU in WHAC Playoff games. 

This season, these teams first met up on December 6 with IIT earning a 79-73 win, despite a second-half comeback attempt from RCU. 

WHAC HONORS

STAT COMPARISON

QUARTERFINAL RECAP

Indiana Tech took down the Cornerstone Golden Eagles on Thursday evening, 97-85. IIT took a 17-point advantage into the second half on its way to moving on in the playoffs. IIT had a standout game from WHAC Player of the Year Jaxson Fugate with 20 points and 12 rebounds. Logan Beaston scored 22 points, with Steele Brasfield scoring 17 points and nine rebounds. 

Rochester Christian earned an 85-76 win over the Cleary Cougars on Thursday. RCU's 18-point advantage in the first half has enough to stave off the late Cleary comeback attempt. Tymias Williams and Tyler Allen combined to score 36 points in the game, with Darnell Turner Jr. scoring 17 and James Fisher scoring 12. Allen would also finish the game, recording a double-double with 11 rebounds. 

WHAC TOURNAMENT

The top 8 teams in the regular-season standings qualify

Higher seeds host in all rounds

Quarterfinals - Thursday, February 26

G1    #1 Madonna def. #8 Aquinas, 95-85

G2    #4 Lourdes def. #5 Lawrence Tech, 70-60

G3    #3 Rochester Christian def. #6 Cleary, 85-76

G4    #2 Indiana Tech def. #7 Cornerstone, 97-85

Semifinals. Saturday, February 28

G5    #1 Madonna vs. #4 Lourdes - 3 p.m.

G6    #2 Indiana Tech vs. #3 Rochester Christian - 1 p.m.

Championship - Tuesday, March 3

G7    Winner G5 vs Winner G6