HOT SHOOTING AND GREAT START PROPELS MEN’S BASKETBALL PAST LAWRENCE TECH

ROCHESTER HILLS, Mich. - It was not a good day for fans with sensitive ears, as Rochester (8-1, 3-1) ignited the crowd with a barrage of threes against the Lawrence Tech Blue Devils (5-5, 2-3) in an 85-59 victory. Rochester used an excellent start and a solid end to the second half to keep the game out of reach despite runs from the visitors.

Gunner Walters led Rochester in scoring with 21 points, while Brody Parker also showcased his scoring capabilities with 19. Stavros Polatoglou had a strong all-around performance, scoring nine points while pulling down 11 rebounds and dishing out five assists. Guard Brandon Beavers scored 22 for the Blue Devils, with backcourt mate Aaron Dolny contributing 17.

THE RUNDOWN

FIRST HALF

• To say Rochester started out emphatically would be an understatement - the Warriors jumped out to a 24-2 lead behind brilliant shooting from Parker and Walters, who combined for 22 of those 24 points. Rochester also defended well at the rim, forcing several misses and turnovers
• Lawrence Tech regained composure offensively, with Beavers beginning to warm up. Anthony Cukaj and Brett White contributed threes to maintain the lead, and Rochester found itself up 25 halfway through the first half
• After an and-one from Walters off a dish by Toney on the fast break, Rochester looked like it would continue extending the lead. However, Beavers and the Blue Devils found a surge on offense, with Beavers scoring five points in an 8-0 run to end the first half. Rochester was up 43-30 at the buzzer

SECOND HALF

• After an early three from Cukaj, Lawrence Tech cut the lead down to seven after a deep three from Dolny. Cukaj would ensure that was the closest the opponents would get, however, scoring a tough and-one inside before a layup the next possession down by Parker
• A dunk from the Blue Devils cut the lead to 10,  but Rochester answered again with an and-one from Parker. Parker hit another three shortly after to put Rochester up 13, and White got two tough post baskets to fall to bring the margin up 15
• Rochester's bigs scored two baskets inside to bring the lead to 19, and Polatoglou made a statement inside with a drop-step for a bucket after physical play on the interior. Bralin Toney and Brandon Michrina added to the advantage with back-to-back threes, and Rochester looked ahead for good
• Checking into the contest, guard Cameron Sutton made a highlight play to the delight of the Warrior crowd, scoring a high-arching floater with the shot clock expiring. Rochester walked away victorious, 85-59

STAT OF THE GAME

Rochester made its bread on the glass, out-rebounding the Blue Devils 45-29.

POST-GAME PRESSER

Head Coach Klint Pleasant had this to say on the win:

"We wanted to make it challenging for them to operate and shoot on the arc because they do that so well.

On the offensive end, our emphasis was on constant movement against their switching, attacking and drawing fouls, and playing through our post players. We were able to execute our plan very well, and I was pleased. Most importantly, our mentality was different, in a good way, which was nice to see."

UP NEXT

The Warriors will return next Saturday to host the Michigan-Dearborn Wolverines (2-6, 0-4) on Dec. 9 at 3 p.m.

Hussein Murray - RU Athletic Communications

Featured Image: Hanna Swanson - RU Athletics