FIRST HALF RUN PUSHES WARRIORS OVER YELLOW JACKETS, 82-66

ROCHESTER HILLS, Mich. - After a rough start, the Warriors found a way to recover spectacularly, defeating the Defiance Yellow Jackets 82-66 on Wednesday night in Garth Pleasant Arena. Following the start, the Warriors went on a 13-0 run in the first half to help take the lead and never look back, sealing the Warriors' second straight win. Brody Parker led the Warriors in scoring with 23 points, while James Fisher added 18 points and four steals. 

THE RUNDOWN

FIRST HALF

After a few baskets traded inside the paint to start, the Yellow Jackets went up on the Warriors thanks to a couple threes. The Warriors began to shift the momentum when Walters swung a pass from the baseline to the corner for a Brody Parker three. From there, Parker made a couple of important plays for the Warriors on both ends of the floor, allowing RCU to capture the lead a couple of possessions later when Walters finished a tough layup. 

From there, Walters and Brett White took control of the offense, scoring on the next few possessions for RCU and growing the lead to double-digits. Walters nailed a three in transition to make it 40-27, and the Warriors entered the locker room at halftime up 42-31. 

SECOND HALF

The Warriors maintained the lead throughout the second half by responding to any runs by the Yellow Jackets with baskets inside. Two of those baskets came from center James Fisher, who had two dunks during the period, including a putback dunk off a missed jumper. RCU saw some big minutes from Ashton Goul and George Reshotka, who nailed important threes on the wings whenever the Yellow Jackets seemed to find their stride. 

Dustin Farrow and Fisher kept up the Warriors' paint presence, dominating the offensive glass while hitting the blocks hard. They found ways to power through a tough Defiance defense. The Warriors kept the defense strong all the way until the end, sealing the deal at 82-66. 

STAT OF THE GAME

The big difference in the box score is in field goal efficiency, with RCU outshooting the Yellow Jackets 51.8% to 36.4%. 

UP NEXT

The Warriors host the Aquinas Saints at 3 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 25. 

Hussein Murray - RCU Athletic Communications