WARRIORS HEAD ON ROAD TO FACE OFF WITH AQUINAS

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. - Rochester (8-10, 5-7) will take a three-hour drive up to Grand Rapids to face the Aquinas Saints (8-10, 5-7) in the Sturrus Sports & Fitness Center on Wednesday, Jan. 24 at 5:30 p.m. Rochester will look to go 2-0 against the Saints this regular season following a 78-65 Warrior victory on Nov. 21.

THREE KEY THINGS

CLASH OF THE SCORERS

Rochester will have a tough task on its hands defensively during the matchup, with the team facing the WHAC's leading scorer and third-leading scorer in the NAIA, forward Alona Blackwell. Blackwell has showcased her ability at all three scoring levels, having multiple 30+ point performances. Rochester's Celeste Mershimer isn't far off, ranking sixth in the WHAC in points per game following several recent offensive explosions.

BRINGING THE PRESSURE

Despite the loss to Concordia last Saturday, Rochester found a spark late in the game and brought the contest within two possessions in the final minute, thanks to the press. It's no surprise the Warriors would have success, with the team possessing two of the WHAC's steals leaders. Guard Imari Martin will look to continue adding to her all-time steals record.

TOURNAMENT IMPLICATIONS

Both teams come into this game dead, even both in overall record and conference record, and tonight's matchup could serve as an important game for seeding implications within the WHAC. Also tied with these teams is Madonna. With the second half of conference play starting up, wins couldn't come at a more important time.

COACH'S CORNER

Head Coach Jared Ocampo had this to say on the Warriors matching up with Blackwell:

"Blackwell is a terrific player for Aquinas and she has shown that all year. One of the top three scorers in the country, she scores at all three levels and plays with a high motor. We will have to limit her number of easy shots.

We are going to look to make every possession as difficult as we can. It will be a good challenge for us, Imari, Dakotah, and Ashley; I'm confident those girls are ready for the assignment at hand."

SPORTS INFORMATION SPOTLIGHT

The Warriors have won the last eight matchup with the Saints, with the last loss to Aquinas occurring in 2019 on Dec. 14 (64-52).

AROUND THE CONFERENCE

#23 Indiana Tech remains undefeated in WHAC play, with #RV Siena Heights trailing by a game. Concordia slots at third with losses to the two aforementioned teams.

Hussein Murray - RU Athletic Communications

Featured Image: Hanna Swanson - RU Athletics