WARRIORS CRASH THE GLASS, SECURE WIN AGAINST UNOH ON SENIOR DAY

ROCHESTER HILLS, Mich. - The Warriors (17-9, 12-8) came out on top over the Northwestern Ohio Racers (17-9, 12-8) in a physical battle. After a hot start, the Warriors were challenged by the Racers but found a big answer in the second half to put the game way.

James Fisher led the Warriors with a gargantuan 25-16 performance, posting a double-double just ten minutes into the contest. Seniors Brandon Michrina and Anthony Cukaj also had good scoring days on their senior day, combining for 27 points. Forward Brett White joined Fisher in the rebounding column, grabbing 15 while recording nine points and two blocks. 

THE RUNDOWN

FIRST HALF

• It was a hot start for the home team as Rochester hit several threes early, including a transition three by Michrina off a chase-down block from Fisher. Fisher and guard Gunner Walters were on point with each other all night, beginning with an alley-oop off a pick-and-roll. Cukaj found White for a three shortly after, and the Warriors got up all the way to 13

• The Racers started to find their way back into a competitive game with a few threes of their own, but Rochester got a timely three from senior Bralin Toney that ignited the crowd. Toney later found Michrina for a backdoor layup to help Rochester go up by as much as 14. However, the Racers were very scrappy and went on a big run to cut the lead down to five. An and-one from Michrina helped Rochester go into the halftime break up eight points

SECOND HALF

• It was a sloppy start to the second half for both teams, with neither team finding much of a rhythm on the offensive end. However, quick buckets from both sides helped the teams snap out of it and embark on an explosive half. Walters provided the team with big minutes, hitting a jumper before finding Fisher for another layup off the pick-and-roll. Fisher continued to dominate the paint, dunking a lob from Cukaj to fire up Garth Pleasant Arena

• The Racers found a great deal of success from the three-point line, and began to contend with the Warriors' lead, trailing by just one. However, Michrina went on an efficient scoring burst that helped Rochester grow the lead to a much more comfortable margin. Michrina shared the love with his fellow senior Cukaj, finding him for a tough and one to help grow the lead to ten

• With time winding down, Rochester checked in guards Zane Draper and Cameron Sutton to a wave of applause from the crowd. Draper and Sutton provided important defensive minutes to finish out the game for the Warriors

POSTGAME PRESSER

Head Coach Klint Pleasant had this to say about the rebounding from White and Fisher:

"Those guys were huge. Brett has blossomed into a very good rebounder in the second half of the season. Fish's stat line was a grown-man line. 

Those guys gave us such a lift and allowed us to not have as much pressure on our three-point shooting. Big win for us against a team that's been playing really well."

STAT OF THE GAME

White and Fisher's combined 29 rebounds are the most by a duo for the Warriors this season. Additionally, Cukaj officially climbed into the Warriors' top-ten all-time in career points. 

UP NEXT

The Warriors head to the Russel J. Ebeid Center for a matchup with #13 Lourdes on Wednesday, Feb. 17, at 7:30 p.m.

Hussein Murray - RU Athletic Communications

Featured Image: Hanna Swanson - RU Athletics