OFFENSE SPUTTERS IN WARRIOR LOSS TO AQUINAS

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. - The Warriors weren't able to get the offense rolling until the second half of their game against the Aquinas Saints on Wednesday night, falling 70-49 in the matchup. The Warriors had trouble finding much success shooting the ball, allowing the Saints to build a large lead for the majority of the game. Forward Ashley Loon led the team in scoring with 14 while grabbing five rebounds. The Saints had four players score in double figures. 

THE RUNDOWN

FIRST HALF

It took a minute for either team to score, with the Saints striking first on free throws. Shortly after, the Warriors got their first basket on a layup by forward Melanie Moore off a nice dish from guard Samone Andrews. A few minutes later, Moore stole a pass and took the ball the length of the floor for a layup to tie things at 4-4. The Saints ended the quarter on an 8-2 run, with RCU's Emiley Lockey and Tambre Williams breaking the run on a pick-and-roll play. 

The second quarter was a tough one for RCU, as the Saints made life difficult for the Warriors when it came to shooting the ball. Four minutes into the quarter, Aquinas put themselves up double digits off a three by Brynn Reams. The Saints continued to build the lead with points off turnovers, growing the lead to 31-10 at the halftime buzzer. 

SECOND HALF

The offensive woes continued for the Warriors to begin the third quarter, with the Saints getting up to a 26-point lead. However, the Warriors started to get some positives going midway through the third, beginning with a great pass from guard Imari Martin that led to a three for forward Jacey Somers. Moore scored on a putback shortly after, but the Warriors needed to get some stops to try and slim the margin. 

Mylah Aalse hit a layup with over four minutes to go, and the Warriors started to try and chip at the lead inside the paint, with Shahd Bakkar drawing a foul and Jordan Peterson scoring on a putback with two minutes to go. The Warriors scored six more points in the final minute, and looked to continue that momentum into the fourth quarter. 

Following a couple layups by the Saints, Loon hit a three to get the Warriors going in the final quarter. The Saints continued to tack on points, but RCU continued to put pressure on the paint defense for Aquinas to find baskets. Loon would find Savanah Laurenty for a layup with just over three minutes in the game, and Laurenty returned the favor on the next possession with an assist on a three by Loon. Loon found her stride in the game's final minutes, hitting two more threes to cut the margin down before the final buzzer. 

STAT OF THE GAME

Loon now has four career games with at least four threes made. 

UP NEXT

The Warriors head to Madonna to take on the Crusaders on Saturday at 1 p.m.

Hussein Murray - RCU Athletic Communications

Featured Image: Tamera Robinson - RCU Athletics