WARRIORS FALL SHY OF CLEARY ON THE ROAD

LANSING, Mich. - The Warriors were within striking distance of the hosting Cleary Cougars on Dec. 18 but ultimately couldn't get over the hump on the road in a 69-63 loss. Both teams were all over the defensive end of the floor, with RCU forcing 30 Cougar turnovers. However, the Cougars capitalized on free throw efficiency, which doomed the Warriors in the loss. Forward Melanie Moore was dominant in the contest, posting a 17-12 double-double while recording three steals and two blocks. The Cougars had five players score in double-figures, led by guard Rylee Thomas with 19 points. 

THE RUNDOWN

FIRST HALF

The outing started out tough for the Warriors, who had trouble finding the bottom of the net both inside and out. Both teams began the game trading threes, with guard Samone Andrews tying the game on a wing three from a pass by Ashley Loon. The teams traded two-point baskets shortly after, but the Cougars began to slowly grow a lead thanks to a slight edge in shooting efficiency. A couple of layups inside put Cleary up 17-8, but the Warriors held strong defensively for the final two minutes of the first quarter to make sure the Cougars didn't build any further separation. 

It seemed like the Cougars were starting to run away with it after going up 21-10 to begin the second quarter. Still, the Warriors countered with an explosive offensive attack, featuring an inside presence from Moore and threes by Loon and guard Riley Place. Place was on fire in the second quarter, helping tie the game with back-to-back threes midway through the second. RCU's defense contributed to the strong quarter, with Andrews and Place securing steals to give RCU the lead with transition baskets. After the Cougars hit a three to go up 34-31, Place lined up another swish to give herself nine points in the quarter. Forward Demi Rodriguez joined in on the fun, hitting a three to give the Warriors a 37-36 lead entering halftime. 

SECOND HALF

The Warriors came out flat in the third quarter, allowing the Cougars to go up 47-39 thanks to three-point shooting. Much like the first quarter, scoring was a struggle for RCU. However, the Warriors made a push midway through the period with Place's fourth three, followed up by a jumper from Rodriguez to cut the deficit to three. After a string of scoreless possessions by both teams, the Cougars went on another run, jumping to a 54-44 lead off a 7-0 run. The Warriors broke the cold streak with a layup by Moore with 19 seconds left in the period, heading out of the quarter down 54-46. 

The Warriors traded layups with the Cougars to begin the fourth, with Moore getting an open layup thanks to a dish by Mylah Aalse. The Cougars went back up twelve with free throws, but the Warriors weren't out just yet. RCU's defense came up with a streak of essential stops to give the offense a chance, and the offense delivered. Andrews found forward Jacey Somers for two unanswered layups, and a forced turnover by the Warriors set up another huge three by Place to cut the Cleary lead to three with 1:47 remaining. Unfortunately for the Warriors, the final two minutes were plagued with missed free throws, which allowed the Cougars to maintain the lead through the final buzzer. 

STAT OF THE GAME

Andrews' seven steals are both a career-high and an individual team season-high. 

UP NEXT

The Warriors return to Garth Pleasant Arena on Dec. 28 for a big showdown with #11 Saint Francis (Ind.). 

Hussein Murray - RCU Athletic Communications

Hanna Swanson - StudioLens.Han