WARRIORS STRUGGLE TO FIND ANSWERS AGAINST CORNERSTONE

ROCHESTER HILLS, Mich. - The Warriors had a tough time on the defensive end against the Cornerstone Golden Eagles for Rochester Church Night on Jan. 29, falling 94-81 at Garth Pleasant Arena. Despite some solid offensive production, the Golden Eagles countered that offensively with a consistent paint presence that gave the Warriors trouble. Brody Parker led the Warriors in scoring with 21, while the remaining starters for RCU all scored in double figures. 

THE RUNDOWN

FIRST HALF

The game began on the interior for both teams, with the Golden Eagles roaming around the midrange while RCU looked for points at the basket. The Warriors got the first three of the game to go for minutes into the first half, when Dustin Farrow caught a pass from fellow forward Brett White to tie the game at 10-10. Farrow continued to make an impact, scoring the next layup for RCU before assisting Parker on another to keep the game tied at 14-14. 

The Golden Eagles began to build separation following the second media timeout, knocking down a handful of threes to put the Warriors down by 15. Parker knocked down a three to cut the lead to 12, followed by three from White to give RCU some offensive momentum. Heading into halftime, RCU was down eight. 

SECOND HALF

The Warriors got back within six thanks to a steal and dynamite dunk by James Fisher to begin the half. Still, the Golden Eagles began to attack the paint with several offensive sets that the Warriors couldn't get to defensively. The visitors climbed back into a 13-point lead before the first media timeout of the period, and RCU needed some answers offensively. The Warriors got buckets inside the paint from White and Fisher, but the Golden Eagles continued to find paint openings and stay ahead. 

The Warriors briefly cut into the lead and got within 11, but the defensive woes continued to plague the home team. The Warriors saw some strong minutes from forward Ashton Goul in the period, but foul trouble kept RCU from making any serious dent in the lead as time expired. 

STAT OF THE GAME

Parker's 21-point performance was his ninth game of 20+ points this season. 

UP NEXT

The Warriors face the Lourdes Gray Wolves on the road on Feb. 5 at 7:30 p.m.

Hussein Murray - RCU Athletic Communications

Featured Image: Xander Slate - RCU Athletics