WARRIORS TAKE ON COUGARS AT GARTH PLEASANT ARENA

ROCHESTER HILLS, Mich. - It'll be an important return home for the Warriors (10-10, 7-7), who face the Cleary Cougars (4-16, 4-10) on Wednesday, Jan. 31 at 5:30 p.m. Rochester will look for its second win against the Cougars, taking the first game 75-46 earlier in the season at Gannon Gymnasium.

THREE KEY THINGS

MERSHIMER COMES OFF DOMINANT WEEK

Rochester enters this matchup fresh off a 2-0 week, largely thanks to senior guard Celeste Mershimer. The guard averaged a near triple-double during the games - 20.0 points, 10.0 rebounds, and 8.5 assists per game. It's been a string of excellent performances for Mershimer, who will look to lead the team to a third straight win.

WARRIOR BENCH CONTINUES TO CONTRIBUTE

Throughout the season, Rochester has had great performances from players off the bench. Last week, guard Dakotah Krohn and forward Grace Lodes made key plays in the two wins for Rochester. For the Warriors, depth will be key in ensuring a third-straight win.

COUGARS SHOW FIGHT IN FIRST SEASON

After a tough start for the Cougars in their first-ever season, Cleary found a surge in mid-January, winning three of four games. The Cougars got big shots from trio Taedom Stein, Amy Jackson, and Mileisha Rodriguez, who each average double-digit points.

COACH'S CORNER

Head Coach Jared Ocampo had this to say on translating previous wins to this game:

"We're building on top of the positives and paying attention to detail. We have simplified our focus, and it's really allowed the girls to fulfill their roles on the team. We'll continue to strive for positivity and things we can build on moving forward."

SPORTS INFORMATION SPOTLIGHT

Give and Take: Mershimer and guard Imari Martin remain among the WHAC's leaders in assists per game and steals per game, with the duo averaging 5.0 and 4.0 assists/2.0 and 2.9 steals, respectively.

AROUND THE CONFERENCE

#23 Indiana Tech remains undefeated in conference play, with #RV Siena Heights and Concordia on Tech's tail. Rochester is still in the hunt for a home game in the WHAC Tournament, tied with Lawrence Tech and trailing Cornerstone by a game

Hussein Murray - RU Athletic Communications

Featured Image: Hanna Swanson - RU Athletics