WARRIORS SLIDE PAST RACERS; SNAP THREE-GAME SKID

LIMA, Ohio - The Warriors (12-5, 7-4) snapped a three-game skid with a close victory against the UNOH Racers (4-12, 3-8) on Wednesday night. In a back-and-forth contest, Rochester found buckets when most needed.

Center James Fisher led the Warriors with a 21-10 double-double off the bench, while forward Brandon Michrina and guard Gunner Walters scored 15 and 14 points, respectively. Guard Ryan Archey led UNOH with 22 points.

THE RUNDOWN

FIRST HALF

• Michrina had a presence on the game with an early three off a quick pass from guard Anthony Cukaj, followed by an assist to guard Brody Parker and a steal. Shortly after, Michrina hit a jumper to extend the lead to 7-0. Fisher checked in and got scores in the paint, but the Racers crept back in thanks to some open looks
• Things became neck and neck with the half winding down, with guard Bralin Toney and forward Brett White making multiple defensive plays to hold off the Racers. Following a layup by Michrina, UNOH got its first lead behind a 6-0 run. However, Rochester ended the half with a lead following a Cukaj assist to Fisher in the half's final seconds

SECOND HALF

• Walters and Parker connected for a three to open up a riveting second half. Walters hit a three shortly after to extend the Warrior lead to seven. Walters later hit a layup and followed that up with an assist on a three by White. Despite the momentum for Rochester, UNOH took every hit and swung back on offense
• Upon checking in, Fisher had one of his best halves of the season, pulling down five offensive rebounds while scoring 11. Fisher's paint presence would be exclamated by a powerful dunk off a feed from Walters. Walters continued his strong half with a few consecutive layups, and Fisher scored again inside
• The Racers quickly climbed back into a one-point deficit, but a Cukaj triple gave the Warriors some separation. Not down and out, the Racers tied the game yet again and took a one-point lead. The defense stood tall for the Warriors, though, who got two critical stops and free throws to seal the game

POSTGAME PRESSER

Head Coach Klint Pleasant had this to say about the Warriors' win:

"We showed incredible amounts of toughness coming off a stretch of nothing going our way and then heading to a very difficult place to play. And we still shot the ball very poorly. But we played with a passion that we've lacked the last few games."

STAT OF THE GAME

Fisher and the Warriors logged 19 second-chance points, with Fisher logging six on his own. Those possessions ended up being the difference, with the Warriors outscoring the Racers 19-12 on those opportunities.

UP NEXT

Rochester will defend home court on Saturday, Jan. 20, against the Concordia Cardinals (5-11, 3-9) at 1 p.m.

Hussein Murray - RU Athletics

Featured Image: Noah Peterson - RU Athletics