WARRIORS WIN ON SENIOR DAY BEHIND 35 POINTS FROM SOMERS

ROCHESTER HILLS, Mich. - The Warriors got an important win against future WHAC Tournament opponent Cleary on Saturday afternoon, winning 88-75 at Garth Pleasant Arena on senior day. The Warriors celebrated the careers of senior guards Angelina Haisha and Imari Martin prior to the contest. RCU's win was fueled by a monster performance from Jacey Somers, who recorded 35 points, six rebounds, six assists, and five blocks in the contest. Off the bench, Emily Lockey and Tambre Williams combined for 25 points. 

THE RUNDOWN

FIRST HALF

Most of this contest was a chess game between the two programs, with both teams creating efficient looks and moving the ball well. Somers got off to a hot start right away, shooting 3-4 from the field and 3-5 from the free throw line to nearly half RCU's point production in the quarter. RCU held the Cougars to 7-26 shooting in the period. 

Things only continued to go the Warriors' way in the second quarter, with outscoring the Cougars 23-17 thanks to another nine points by Somers and 14 points off the bench. Lockey, Williams, and Demi Rodriguez hit big shots for RCU during the stretch, with Lockey nailing a three to get the Warriors going. A few possessions later, Rodriguez confidently nailed a deep three on the right wing to expand RCU's lead to eight, forcing a timeout. Williams and Somers attacked the paint, exposing holes in the Cleary zone to give RCU a 43-35 lead going into halftime. 

SECOND HALF

RCU's lead grew in the third quarter thanks to a big quarter from Haisha. The graduate senior hit two huge threes to propel the Warriors to a double-digit lead. However, the Cougars found ways to slow down the Warriors' momentum and make it a one-possession game heading into the fourth quarter. 

The Cougars stayed hot from three and took the lead from RCU early in the fourth quarter. However, the Warriors got an emphatic answer from Somers, who nailed a three and blocked a shot on the next possession to bring RCU back to life. The forward scored 11 points in the quarter, hitting three three-pointers to help RCU storm back into a multi-possession lead. Lockey also made a massive impact on the Warriors' closeout, scoring five points, dishing out four assists, and grabbing four critical rebounds to help RCU close out the win. 

STAT OF THE GAME 

Somers' 35 points were a career-high and the second-most ever scored by a Warrior women's basketball player in a single game. Additionally, it is the first-ever performance of at least 35 points, five rebounds, five assists, and five blocks in RCU program history. 

UP NEXT

The Warriors take on the Cleary Cougars at Gannon Gymnasium on Monday, Feb. 24, for the first round of the WHAC Tournament. Tip-off time is at 7 p.m.

Hussein Murray - RCU Athletic Communications

Featured Image: Hannah Mitkus - Hannah Mitkus Photography