PLAYMAKING SECURES WARRIORS FIFTH STRAIGHT GAME

ROCHESTER HILLS, Mich. - The Warriors (13-10, 10-7) got their fifth straight win in a physical contest, defeating the Madonna Crusaders (9-14, 5-12) 74-62 in Garth Pleasant Arena on Wednesday night.

Three Warriors - Jacey Somers, Celeste Mershimer, and Melanie Moore - scored in double figures, with the trio combining for 48 points. Forward Grace Lodes provided grit off the bench, scoring eight points and grabbing three offensive rebounds.

THE RUNDOWN

FIRST HALF

• After giving up a 7-0 run to start the game, Mershimer hit a three to break the ice for the Warriors. Forward Ashley Loon followed that up with another three in the ensuing offensive possession, helping Rochester start to turn around the slow start, ending with an 18-13 lead to end the first quarter
• The Crusaders closed the gap with a run to start the second quarter, but Lodes provided valuable minutes for the Warriors to help stave off the run. Lodes scored on a putback layup and an and-one to ignite the crowd. Also helping off the bench was forward Ella Burger, who earned Rochester a few defensive stops to help the team enter halftime leading 31-26

SECOND HALF

• Rochester's guards got things going on the playmaking side - particularly Mershimer and Imari Martin. Additionally, guard Dakotah Krohn helped the Warriors halt Madonna's momentum. Moore started to find success in the paint, foreshadowing a big fourth-quarter
• Martin and Moore were vital in the final ten minutes for the Warriors, connecting on four straight possessions for layups inside, helping the Warriors go up into double-digits by taking advantage of gaps in the Crusaders' zone. Some crucial defensive stops helped the Warriors secure the win

POSTGAME PRESSER

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

"We wanted to exploit our size advantage from the get-go. We knew if we could pound it inside to [Melanie], Grace, and Jacey, our penetration gaps would open up for our guards. We did a good job attacking them from the inside out and finishing at the cup. It was a great team win heading into Saturday."

STAT OF THE GAME

It was an all-around rebounding effort for Rochester, with eight players grabbing at least three rebounds.

UP NEXT

Rochester returns home on Saturday for a matchup with #21 Indiana Tech on Saturday, Feb. 10 at 1 p.m.

Hussein Murray - RU Athletic Communications

Featured Image: Hanna Swanson - RU Athletics