WARRIORS LOOK TO DEFEND HOME COURT AGAINST SIENA HEIGHTS

ROCHESTER HILLS, Mich. - The Warriors (7-5, 4-2) will host the Siena Heights Saints (10-2, 5-1) on Wednesday, Jan. 3, at 5:30 p.m. for the first matchup between the two teams since the Warriors' 2OT victory in the 2022-23 WHAC Tournament.

THREE KEY THINGS

SAINTS ON A TEAR

After an 0-2 start to the season, Siena Heights halted any doubts about their form with a 10-game winning streak and a 5-1 start to conference play. Despite losing two key players in forwards Sha'kyia Parker and Peyton Banks, new players have stepped up in a big way for the Saints. Guards Kayla Hinton and E'Anna Won are having stellar seasons, showing plenty of offensive and defensive versatility.

ROCHESTER LOOKS TO CONTINUE WINNING STREAK

Also on a win streak is the Warriors, who've won three straight WHAC contests after a 1-2 start in conference play. In two of the games, Rochester won by more than 20 points thanks to efforts by guards Celeste Mershimer and Imari Martin, as well as forwards Melanie Moore and Jacey Somers. Rochester may have found its stride at the right time, with the conference table continuing to be highly competitive.

INTRIGUING GUARD MATCHUPS

It'll be a battle of talented guards, with Won and Hinton taking on Mershimer and Martin. Thanks to some tightly contested games over the past year, all four are highly experienced and familiar with each other. The four guards are in the WHAC's top six in assists per game, with Mershimer leading the conference. Expect to see plenty of high-level facilitation in this matchup. 

COACH'S CORNER

Head Coach Jared Ocampo had this to say about the matchup:

"We are going to have to really take care of the basketball. This Siena Heights group likes to apply pressure, particularly on the ball. We will have to make sure we make simple decisions with the basketball and limit our turnovers. They are playing very good basketball as of late, and for us to end that, we will have to be disciplined and resilient for 40 minutes."

SPORTS INFORMATION SPOTLIGHT

Give and Take: Not only is Mershimer leading the conference in assists, but she also leads the conference in total steals as well, with 30 on the season. 

AROUND THE CONFERENCE

It has been a hectic race at the top of the WHAC, with Concordia and #25 Indiana Tech currently undefeated. The Warriors and the Cornerstone Golden Eagles trail the Saints by one game. A matchup with Indiana Tech is coming up for the Warriors on Saturday, Jan. 6.

Hussein Murray - RU Athletic Communications

Featured Image: Hanna Swanson - RU Athletics