WARRIORS' SHOOTING SLUMP CONTINUES AGAINST #25 INDIANA TECH

FORT WAYNE, Ind. - Shots couldn't fall for the Warriors (7-7, 4-4) in a 79-44 loss to #25 Indiana Tech on Saturday afternoon, with the team converting only 25.9% of its looks during the contest. Guards Imari Martin and Celeste Mershimer led the Warriors in scoring but were the only two who scored in double figures for Rochester with 12 and 10 points, respectively.

THE RUNDOWN

FIRST HALF

• The first quarter was neck-and-neck, with forward Ashley Loon kicking things off with three thanks to an offensive rebound by center Melanie Moore. Martin succeeded at the free throw line, drawing multiple fouls and converting. She'd hit a late jump shot to end the first quarter score at 16-16
• The second quarter saw the game's momentum shift entirely toward the hosts, with Indiana Tech out-scoring Rochester 24-3. Despite a fairly even turnover battle in the period, Rochester struggled in the half court, shooting 1-14 while Indiana Tech went 8-13.

SECOND HALF

• Rochester's scoring improved in the third quarter, with Mershimer and Martin combining for 13 points. However, Indiana Tech would get a scoring surge from forward Genevieve Decker, who dominated the paint en route to 14 points in the period
• The shooting struggles started back up in the fourth quarter, with the Warriors going 3-17. Defensively, Rochester played a strong quarter, holding Indiana Tech to sub-35% shooting. However, it wouldn't be enough before the final buzzer

POSTGAME PRESSER

Head Coach Jared Ocampo had this to say on the loss:

"Certainly, the first step is to keep our heads up and stay encouraged. We're given a great opportunity to exercise our ability to enhance mental toughness through the adversity we have been through.

When you play a good defensive team like Indiana Tech, you have to work to earn good opportunities. Our rhythm and our flow into our offense is slow, which makes us easy to defend. We need to kick up the intensity and the urgency in our offense in preparation for a good Cornerstone team."

STAT OF THE GAME

Three-pointers came at a premium for Rochester, who were outshot 9-3 by Indiana Tech.

UP NEXT

Rochester will return to action on Wednesday, Jan. 10 at 5:30 p.m. against Cornerstone (7-5, 5-2).

Hussein Murray - RU Athletic Communications

Featured Image Courtesy of Indiana Tech Athletics