INTERIOR PRESENCE PUSHES WOMEN'S BASKETBALL PAST MICHIGAN-DEARBORN

ROCHESTER HILLS, Mich. - It was almost like a track meet for the Warriors (6-5, 3-2) on Saturday afternoon, defeating the Michigan-Dearborn Wolverines (1-9, 0-5) 81-55 behind great play in transition. Rochester made most of its money in the paint, with the team running the floor to find open looks.

Three Warriors scored in double-figures, with freshman Jacey Somers leading the way with 16 points. Also cashing in were guards Ashley Loon and Celeste Meshimer, who found plenty of success inside, scoring 10 and 14 points, respectively. The Wolverines were led in scoring by guard Shayla Bond off the bench with 12.

THE RUNDOWN

FIRST HALF

• Conditioning was useful for the Warriors, who jumped out to a 12-0 lead almost purely off fast break points. Mershimer and Somers got things kicked off with easy twos, with Mershimer dishing out multiple outlet passes
• Foul trouble would prevent Rochester from truly expanding the lead, with the team finding itself in the bonus early. However, the Warriors' defense stood tall when Rochester could avoid the whistle. Moore dominated the defensive glass for both periods, and the Warriors held Michigan-Dearborn to 2-13 shooting in the first quarter
• Shahd Bakkar provided solid minutes off the bench, especially on fast breaks, forcing an and-one from a tough angle. Mershimer also scored a coast-to-coast and-one to keep the momentum going
• The Wolverines climbed back into the game by adjusting to a 2-3 zone, which gave Rochester trouble offensively. A few untimely fouls allowed the visitors to cut a 19-point deficit to 12 before the halftime buzzer

SECOND HALF

• The Warriors found some big adjustments at halftime, switching into a press that forced several Wolverine turnovers. Rochester moved the ball very well and got a lot of open layups without needing many dribbles
• Rochester outscored the Wolverines 17-9 in the third quarter, with Somers, Mershimer, and Loon all scoring multiple open layups
• The fourth quarter was closer, with the Wolverines finding some rhythm from three. However, Rochester was able to find answers when needed, including an emphatic and-one from Regan Clark off an offensive rebound. Rochester closed things out with back-to-back threes from Riley Place

POSTGAME PRESSER

Head Coach Jared Ocampo had this to say on the second-half adjustments the team made:

"Well, we had a fast start, which was good to see. UMD threw a zone at us later in the first half, and we really struggled to value possession of the basketball and make good decisions. At half, I emphasized keeping it simple and making their zone work. Most importantly, making good, simple decisions with the basketball.

I was pleased with our pace tonight out of transition. It was a difference maker, and we proved that when we get out and run, fill the lanes, we can get ahead of the defense and get easy buckets. I'm hoping to build on top of today's game and into Cleary next Saturday."

STAT OF THE GAME

Team stats made a significant difference for the Warriors, outrebounding the Wolverines 52-38 and outassisting 19-7.

UP NEXT

Rochester will play the Cleary Cougars (1-8, 0-4) for the first-ever matchup between the teams.

Hussein Murray - RU Athletic Communications

Featured Image: Toby Buckheim - Buckheim's Photo & Film