WARRIORS' SEASON COMES TO END AT CLEARY IN WHAC TOURNAMENT OPENING ROUND

LANSING, Mich. - After a hard-fought four quarters of action, RCU women's basketball's season has come to an end in the WHAC Tournament Opening Round against the Cleary Cougars, falling 80-66 at Gannon Gymnasium. Following a tight first quarter, the Cougars pulled ahead in the second and third periods, making an RCU comeback difficult in the fourth quarter. Jacey Somers led the Warriors with 24 points, followed by Samone Andrews and Emily Lockey, who combined for 28. 

THE RUNDOWN

FIRST HALF

The Warriors struggled from outside in the first quarter but turned to getting looks at the basket to overcome the shooting woes. For Andrews, most of her first-half scoring came in transition, with the freshman guard snagging four steals and scoring six points. Somers was also aggressive in the paint, scoring six points. Demi Rodriguez provided valuable RCU minutes off the bench, grabbing two tough rebounds and dishing out two assists. The Warriors headed into the second quarter tied with the Cougars 18-18. 

RCU's shooting issues continued in the second quarter, with the team beginning to fall behind the Cougars after missing some baskets inside. After taking a 20-18 lead thanks to two free throws by Rodriguez, the Cougars went on a 9-0 run to take a 27-20 lead midway through the second period. Both teams stagnated in the final three minutes, but the Warriors were down 34-27 heading into the half. 

SECOND HALF

RCU got within four right away in the third quarter thanks to a three by Andrews, but the Cougars continued to stretch out the lead by attacking the paint. RCU's offense wasn't generating the looks needed to counter the offensive approach by the Cougars, who were up 44-32 with 7:30 left in the third. Lockey came off the bench and gave the Warriors some valuable plays to try and cut into the lead, including a steal-and-score. However, the Cougars continued to overcome RCU's physical defense by hitting jumpers and went up 49-35 by the third-quarter buzzer. 

The Warriors looked to make a big push beginning in the fourth quarter, with Somers facilitating two consecutive baskets by Andrews and Jordan Peterson. After a couple of traded points, the Warriors closed the gap to nine thanks to a three by Andrews. However, the Cougars' five unanswered points kept the lead at double-digits. Somers stayed in the paint on offense and converted a huge and-one to get the deficit back under double-digits. With three minutes remaining, Lockey drained an important three to bring the Warriors within seven. However, the Cougars were able to close the game out on free throws to end RCU's season at 80-66. 

STAT OF THE GAME

Lockey wrapped up the season with very strong play, recording double-digit points in three consecutive games off the bench. 

Hussein Murray - RCU Athletic Communications

Featured Image: Hannah Mitkus - Hannah Mitkus Photography