RCU WRAPS UP HOMECOMING WEEKEND IN FIRST-EVER HOME CONTEST AGAINST OAKLAND

ROCHESTER HILLS, Mich. - The Warriors wrapped up RCU's 2024-25 Homecoming Weekend on Saturday afternoon, hosting NCAA DI program Oakland University for the first time in program history. The Golden Grizzlies emerged with a 91-66 win, as the Warriors saw many of their newcomers make their unofficial collegiate debuts in front of a large Garth Pleasant Arena crowd. Guard Samone Andrews led the Warriors in scoring with 11, followed by sophomore Jacey Somers, who put up a 10-8 stat line with two blocks. For Oakland, guard Maddy Skorupski led with a 26-9-7 performance. 

THE RUNDOWN

FIRST HALF

• Following a three by Oakland, the Warriors got an and-one by center Melanie Moore to start the game off strong and get the crowd going. The Golden Grizzlies responded with their own and-one, setting up a 12-0 run to take a large lead early in the quarter. RCU broke the ice with a three by Somers and got another basket off a jumper from forward Ashley Loon. Skorupski tacked on a layup to the Golden Grizzlies' first-quarter lead, putting the visitors up 16 at the first break
• The Golden Grizzlies started things off with a basket before RCU's Tambre Williams scored off a tip-in. Freshman Emily Lockey hit a jumper shortly after to help RCU try and cut the deficit down. However, a couple of big plays by OU's Lianna Baxter erased some of that work by the Warriors. Loon and Somers hit threes shortly after to give the Warriors some momentum, but Oakland's defense continued to give the Warriors trouble, and RCU would enter halftime down 17

SECOND HALF

• Skorupski and Madison Royal-Davis helped the Golden Grizzlies go on run to start the second half, with the tandem causing havoc defensively and turning transition opportunities into points. The Warriors got the lid off the basket with a three by guard Riley Place to halt some of Oakland's momentum right before Andrews and Demi Rodriguez added their own baskets. RCU's offense started to find its stride as time wound down in the third quarter, with the team finding openings in the paint for some layups and drawn fouls
• Lockey nailed a three to start the Warriors' fourth quarter, but much work was needed to cut into a growing Oakland lead. Some turnovers gave the Warriors trouble as the team tried to find some offensive rhythm, but Andrews knocked down a three to help RCU get back into a groove. Oakland continued to find transition opportunities which stifled any chance of a Warrior comeback. However, RCU continued to hustle, with Loon creating a three for herself off a steal. RCU's Williams would score the game's final basket as time ran out

STAT OF THE GAME

Williams had a solid game all around, including 10 rebounds (three offensive, seven defensive). 

UP NEXT

The Warriors will begin their regular season on Tuesday, Oct. 29, when they host #RV Marian at Garth Pleasant Arena. 

Hussein Murray - RCU Athletic Communications

Featured Image: Hanna Swanson - StudioLens.Han