WARRIORS STUMBLE AGAINST #10 RIO GRANDE

RIO GRANDE, Ohio - It was a tough outing for the Warriors on Nov. 16 against #10 Rio Grande, falling 107-67. Following a decent first quarter, the Warriors struggled in the second period as the Red Storm outscored RCU 29-9. Despite a much stronger second half, it wouldn't be enough for RCU. For the Warriors, forwards Jacey Somers and Tambre Williams led in scoring, with Somers logging 22 and Williams with 16 points. The Red Storm were led by Kaylee Darnell with 28 and forward Lexi Woods with 23. 

THE RUNDOWN

FIRST HALF

After a layup by Darnell to start the game, the Warriors produced an answer on a layup inside from Williams, assisted by guard Samone Andrews. Williams responded to another Red Storm layup with a transition bucket created off a steal by fellow forward Melanie Moore. The Red Storm extended the lead to three before Somers hit a jump shot to bring the deficit to one.

Williams continued a strong first quarter with a putback layup to keep RCU within puncher's distance of Rio Grande. However, Darnell was on fire, scoring a layup before knocking down a three to extend the Rio Grande lead to 15-8. Williams added another layup inside off an assist by Mylah Aalse, but a 6-0 run by Rio Grande put the hosts up double-digits. Somers hit a layup with a minute to go, and RCU entered the second quarter down 23-12. 

The 10th-ranked team in the nation showcased their offensive prowess to start the second quarter, starting the period with an 11-0 run to put the Warriors 22 points behind. Somers broke the ice for the Warriors with a layup at 5:46, but the Red Storm continued to grow the lead. Williams and guard Imari Martin added layups for the Warriors, but threes were raining down for Rio Grande, who entered halftime up big. 

SECOND HALF

Williams and Andrews scored layups for the Warriors to start the second half, but Rio Grande wouldn't budge on the lead, adding several points off jumpers to keep up the onslaught. Andrews continued to create offense for the Warriors, assisting Somers and guard Emily Lockey to give the Warriors a brief 5-0 stretch. Somers and Lockey scored the Warriors' next four points, and Andrews added a three. With time winding down in the half, Lexi Ringley found an opening in the paint to give the Warriors another basket, but the Warriors entered the fourth with a large deficit. 

The Warriors continued to add points inside, with Martin finding Williams for an easy layup. Williams scored on a putback just a minute later, but the Red Storm were lighting it up from three. Guard Jordan Peterson set up Lockey for another easy layup. With under three minutes to go, the Warriors got some positive plays, with Angelina Haisha scoring a layup before guard Chloe Sakalas stole the ball from a Rio Grande guard for an easy layup for Andrews.

STAT OF THE GAME

Williams' line of 16 and 12 was her first career double-double.

UP NEXT

RCU begins conference play on the road at Cornerstone on Nov. 20, with tip-off occurring at 5:30 p.m.

Hussein Murray - RCU Athletic Communications

Featured Image: Justyce Marcum - Rio Grande Athletics