WARRIORS SUCCUMB TO HOT SHOOTING BY LAWRENCE TECH

ROCHESTER HILLS, Mich. - The rims at Garth Pleasant Arena were friendlier to the visiting Lawrence Tech Blue Devils on Saturday afternoon, as the Warriors fell 100-80 after the Blue Devils put on an efficient shooting performance from buzzer to buzzer. In a highly physical contest, the Warriors couldn't match Lawrence Tech's shooting and found themselves down for much of the game. Forward Brett White led RCU with 22 points, followed by guard Gunner Walters with 20 points, seven rebounds, and five assists. Three Blue Devils scored at least 20 points, with guard Andrew Rinn dropping 25. 

THE RUNDOWN

FIRST HALF

The Warriors started out the game with a 9-6 lead thanks to some solid transition play, including a dunk by center James Fisher and a three by Walters. The Blue Devils gained the lead with a three and an interior basket of their own and held the lead for the rest of the contest. Lawrence Tech's bench guards - Cameron McEvans and Blake Lund - were pivotal in creating the separation, hitting three threes in just over two minutes to grow the lead to 24-15. The Warriors started to answer with two-point baskets to try and cut into the lead, including baskets by Walters and fellow guard Brody Parker. However, the Blue Devils continued to rain threes on RCU. 

A layup by White helped cut the lead down to eight after a few stops by the Warriors, but the Blue Devils got back into the driver's seat with a couple of big buckets by Rinn. The Warriors got another three from Walters to respond, but things fell flat defensively for RCU, with the visitors climbing to a 50-31 lead thanks to more tough shotmaking ability by LTU. The Warriors added a couple more paint baskets to their total but headed into halftime down 53-35. 

SECOND HALF

The second half continued to be a physical showcase, with both teams combining for 28 fouls in the period. The Warriors got a couple layups to go inside, but the Blue Devils' scoring attack usurped every step forward for the Warriors. Rinn and McEvans continued to score in bunches, putting the team in blue up 17 points. The three-point shooting continued to go in Lawrence Tech's favor, expanding the lead even further despite baskets by the Warriors. 

The offensive struggles began to compound for RCU as Lawrence Tech continued to feast inside. The Walters-White duo contributed layups to try and chip into the deficit, but LTU wasn't budging, answering on the other end with baskets of their own. The Warriors got a few more baskets from Walters as the second half dwindled, but the Blue Devils wouldn't end the hot streak until the final buzzer, finishing with a result of 80-100. 

STAT OF THE GAME

Walters was highly efficient in the contest, shooting 8-12. 

UP NEXT

The Warriors travel to Gannon Gymnasium to face the Cleary Cougars on Wednesday, Dec. 18. 

Hussein Murray - RCU Athletic Communications

Featured Image: Peighton Douglas - Rochester Christian University