LATE THREES PUT WARRIORS BEHIND LOURDES

ROCHESTER HILLS, Mich. - Despite a high-scoring second half, the Warriors couldn't overcome a first-half deficit against the Lourdes Gray Wolves on Tuesday night in Garth Pleasant Arena, with the Gray Wolves catching on fire from three in the second. For RCU, Brody Parker led in scoring with 21, followed by Brett White with 17 and James Fisher with 15. For the Gray Wolves, guard Shaunn Monroe led in scoring with 28. 

THE RUNDOWN

FIRST HALF

Both teams started the game inside the paint, with Parker scoring on a layup to give RCU its first lead of the game. Following a steal and score by the Gray Wolves' Derrick Fairley, the Warriors were down six right before the first media timeout. However, a layup by Fisher and a three from Parker helped RCU get back to within one before a layup by White took the lead for the Warriors. 

The Gray Wolves' Monroe hit a three to cause another lead change, but the Warriors got a layup inside by White to continue holding the lead. However, the Gray Wolves got big minutes off the bench from center Kaden Cruse, who hit a three and scored a tip-in to give Lourdes momentum. Following a tip-in by Fisher to tie the game at 22, Kruse hit another three to ignite a 14-2 Gray Wolves run to give Lourdes a 36-25 lead with under a minute to go.

Parker broke the run with a layup on RCU's final possession, but RCU had work to do heading into halftime down 36-27. 

SECOND HALF

The Warriors ramped up the intensity to begin the second half, beginning with an 8-2 run behind four points from Parker and big plays by forward Dustin Farrow. Parker and Fisher continued to be a presence for the Warriors offensively, hitting twos to keep RCU within a possession. However, the Gray Wolves' Monroe hit several tough shots to keep the visitors in the lead ahead of the quarter's first media timeout. 

Farrow and center Stavros Polatoglou connected on a DHO for an and-one opportunity to help RCU cut into the deficit. Following a jumper by Lourdes' Derrell Jones, Polatoglou assisted again on a layup for White to bring the Warriors within one. The teams traded threes on the next two possessions, but things would swing the Gray Wolves' way from there. Kruse continued to give RCU trouble on the outside, hitting two threes to get Lourdes up nine points. 

That run was a pivotal one for the game's outcome, as Lourdes and RCU began to trade free throws for much of the game's remaining time. To make matters worse for RCU's comeback hopes, the Gray Wolves got two incredibly difficult shots at the shot clock buzzer to go despite some strong Warrior defense. The game slowed down in its final minutes, and Lourdes walked away with the win. 

STAT OF THE GAME

Parker now has four 20+ point games in seven appearances for the Warriors this season. 

UP NEXT

The Warriors travel to Grand Rapids to face the Aquinas Saints on Wednesday, Dec. 4 at 7:30 p.m.

Hussein Murray - RCU Athletic Communications

Featured Image: Tamera Robinson - RCU Athletics