WARRIORS FALL SHORT TO SIENA HEIGHTS

ADRIAN, Mich. - An offensive onslaught prevented the Warriors (16-9, 11-8) from getting to grow a lead against the Siena Heights Saints (10-15, 7-12) in a 71-62 loss on Wednesday night at SHU Fieldhouse. A big run from the Saints put the Warriors down early in the final 20 minutes, with Rochester unable to overcome the deficit the rest of the half. 

Brett White led the team in scoring with 16 points and five rebounds, and guard Gunner Walters posted a 12-9-6 line, leading the Warriors in rebounding. James Fisher and Brandon Michrina scored 11 each to round out the starting lineup. 

THE RUNDOWN

FIRST HALF

• It was a tight start to the game for both teams, with baskets being traded on the interior. White had a strong half, posting 11 points on 4-5 shooting, including three catch-and-shoot threes to get things going for the Warriors on the outside. Rochester shot 48.1% from the field in the first half compared to the Saints' 39.3%
• After being down for much of the first half, Rochester got on a big run to end the half strong, with White knocking down two threes and Fisher getting a steal for a breakaway dunk to extend the lead and keep the momentum going. A late basket for the Saints cut the lead to one for the Warriors at halftime

SECOND HALF

• The script flipped in the second half, with the Saints shooting 60% from the field during the final 20 minutes compared to the Warriors' 40%. The Warriors couldn't seem to buy shots from the outside, shooting 3-13 and not capitalizing on some open looks left by Siena Heights
• After a three by Anthony Cukaj to kick things off, the Saints embarked on an 11-0 run to get a big lead going. The Warriors slowly cut the deficit with plays from Stavros Polatoglou and Brody Parker, who found buckets on the interior. Gunner Walters also went on a mini-run to cut the deficit after Siena Heights had extended it again, but it seemed like the Saints had an answer for each Warrior run to cut the lead

STAT OF THE GAME

Second-chance points ended up dooming the Warriors, with the Saints outscoring Rochester 8-1 in that category to make up much of the deficit. 

UP NEXT

Rochester returns to Garth Pleasant Arena to celebrate senior day against Northwestern Ohio on Saturday, Feb. 17 at 3 p.m.

Hussein Murray - RU Athletic Communications

Featured Image: Hanna Swanson - RU Athletics