SOMERS’ CAREER-HIGH ELEVATES WARRIORS PAST RACERS

ROCHESTER HILLS, Mich. - It was a game filled with big stat lines for the Warriors (14-12, 11-9) during a 78-68 win against the Northwestern Ohio Racers (10-16, 6-14) on Saturday afternoon. Freshman Jacey Somers put up a career-high 33 points on 50% shooting from the field, dominating the third quarter with 21 points. 

Melanie Moore also produced a big game for Rochester, posting a 14-14 stat line that consisted of eight offensive rebounds. Moore wasn't the only double-double for the Warriors, as guard Celeste Mershimer scored 10 points while dishing out 10 assists and grabbing seven rebounds and four steals. 

THE RUNDOWN

FIRST HALF

• Efficiency gave the Warriors problems in the first quarter, being outscored 23-14 while shooting 28.6% from the field. Somers was the bright spot for the stagnant Warriors, hitting both of her threes to keep Rochester in the game

• The script flipped in the second quarter, with the Warriors getting a point differential of +10 thanks to some crucial minutes from Ella Burger. The forward scored six points in quick succession for the Warriors to help Rochester get back into the lead, including a transition steal and score. Moore was also instrumental in the run, grabbing three offensive rebounds while scoring six of her own

SECOND HALF

• Somers had a brilliant third quarter, scoring 21 points on 7-11 shooting and three three-pointers. Helping her reach that point was Mershimer, who found her four different times for open baskets. Somers also had two emphatic and-ones to get the bench and the crowd on their feet

• Rochester had big defensive minutes from various players, including Imari Martin and Shahd Bakkar, who didn't let their matchups find many openings in the Racers' offensive sets. Rochester forced multiple key turnovers throughout the second half

• Both teams had a cooled-off fourth quarter, but Rochester made important plays at critical junctures - mainly Moore again who grabbed another three offensive rebounds for putbacks. Rochester cut through the UNOH press, with Mershimer finding ways through double teams to prevent the Racers from returning to the game. A late three by the senior helped Rochester close the deal and get an important win

POSTGAME PRESSER

Head Coach Jared Ocampo had this to say about Somers' performance:

"Jacey was huge for us today. She is so versatile and I ask her to do so many different things for us because she's capable. We did a good job pushing the ball and found her in stride in transition. 

She stepped up big for us today. We rebounded the ball well today, we shared the ball and found a lot of openings. We turned a lot of defensive stops into easy buckets. It was a good team win today."

STAT OF THE GAME

It was all about hustle - Rochester out-rebounded UNOH 25-7 on the offensive glass. 

UP NEXT

The Warriors are on the road to face Lourdes on Wednesday, Feb. 21 at 5:30 p.m.

Hussein Murray - RU Athletic Communications

Featured Image: Hanna Swanson - RU Athletics