WARRIORS POWER THROUGH FOURTH QUARTER, SECURE WIN OVER MICHIGAN-DEARBORN

ROCHESTER HILLS, Mich. - A 24-7 fourth quarter for the Warriors turned a close game into a not-so-close one on Wednesday night in Garth Pleasant Arena, securing a 68-51 victory over the Michigan-Dearborn Wolverines. Defense proved to be the difference maker for RCU, forcing seven turnovers and holding the Wolverines to 2-12 shooting in the final ten minutes. Three Warriors - Jacey Somers, Samone Andrews, and Melanie Moore - scored at least 17 points in the contest. Michigan-Dearborn was led by forward Jordan Banks with 15. 

THE RUNDOWN

FIRST HALF

The Warriors and Wolverines were evenly matched in terms of paint offense, with both units looking to feed the ball inside and drive to the basket. RCU would look to Moore for several offensive possessions, setting up the forward for multiple and-one baskets to keep pace with the Wolverines. Michigan-Dearborn took advantage of some lapses in the RCU press, finding opportunities in transition to overcome an early ten-point deficit. 

The second quarter saw the visitors gain momentum against RCU, continuing to create opportunities to hold a steady lead over the Warriors. Moore and the Warriors continued to pack the paint, but Michigan-Dearborn's defense forced several turnovers that stymied the RCU offense. 

SECOND HALF

The Warriors found a second gear in the third quarter, largely thanks to Somers' shot creation. The forward hit an and-one layup to begin the period and set up the Warriors in a position to retake the lead, successfully doing so on a Somers' jumper on the ensuing possession. The Wolverines regained the lead for a moment, but a big and-one by guard Karmyn Lowry helped the Warriors stay dead-even with the Wolverines before the fourth quarter. 

From there, it was all Warriors, as RCU's press began to clamp down on Michigan-Dearborn's backcourt. Somers went on a solo 6-0 run to give the Warriors the lead, swerving, bending that corner, and hitting a tough mid-range jumper over a Wolverine defender. After a response by the Wolverines that cut the lead to 51-47, the Warriors went on a dominant stretch, forcing turnovers at the halfcourt line to set up fastbreak layups. Moore flew in for a steal and fired the ball down to Andrews for a layup to get the lead to 62-48. The Warriors handled business from there at the free throw line and earned the win. 

STAT OF THE GAME

RCU's defense was all over the court in this one, forcing 26 Michigan-Dearborn turnovers. 

UP NEXT

The Warriors return home on Saturday, Jan. 11, hosting the Concordia Cardinals at 1 p.m.

Hussein Murray - RCU Athletic Communications

Featured Image: Raoual Jackson & Lucas Brannen - RCU Athletics