FORWARDS CRASH THE GLASS IN WARRIOR WIN OVER ST. THOMAS

ROCHESTER HILLS, Mich. - A significant run by the Warriors in the second half, including several key offensive rebounds, helped RCU secure its third consecutive victory in three nights over the St. Thomas Bobcats on Friday afternoon by 92-77. Following a high-paced first half, the Warriors shut things down on the glass, scoring in bunches to keep the Bobcats at bay. Brett White led the Warriors in scoring with 25, while Brody Parker added 22 points - all 22 being scored in the first half. RCU got two big rebounding performances from their freshman forwards, with Dustin Farrow and Ashton Goul posting 16-14 and 11-8 points/rebounds lines, respectively. The Bobcats were led by forward Cearius Warren with 20 points. 

THE RUNDOWN

FIRST HALF

The teams showcased how this game would play out right from the get-go, with both attacking the paint and finding looks in the midrange. Parker led the Warriors' paint presence, slashing inside for multiple layups and drawn fouls. In turn, that opened up the three-point line for fellow guard Gunner Walters, who nailed a three coming off a screen to give the Warriors a momentary advantage. Warren was a major momentum-builder for the Bobcats, getting a fastbreak dunk off a Warrior turnover to give St. Thomas the lead back. The Warriors continued to attack the paint, with White and center James Fisher scoring off second chances to help set up a run for RCU. 

The Warriors jumped out to a 27-19 lead thanks to some big plays by Farrow, who nailed a transition three before getting a block and setting up another transition three for Parker on the next possession. Goul came in for the Warriors and kept up the Warriors' physicality on the glass, grabbing a contested rebound that set up another quick three for Parker. The Bobcats climbed back into the game with several consecutive layups, but Parker was on fire, scoring eight of the Warriors' last ten points during a 12-2 run to set up RCU with a 50-38 lead to end the first half. 

SECOND HALF

The Bobcats kept going at the paint and put some of the Warriors in early foul trouble, which allowed St. Thomas to get back to within four at the 14:07 mark. However, Goul and Farrow were instrumental in keeping the Warriors comfortably ahead, with Goul knocking down a three off a long offensive rebound. The pair of forwards were dominant on the offensive glass, with Farrow scoring several putback layups to snatch away much of St. Thomas' momentum. 

Another run by St. Thomas brought the game to a two-possession margin with under nine minutes to go, but the Warriors kept attacking the rim, starting with a flying putback dunk by Fisher to extend the margin. Goul knocked down a three on the wing on the ensuing possession. On the other end of the floor, Warren threw down another dunk, but the Warriors answered with force, with White beating a closeout and throwing down a two-handed slam to keep RCU going. Farrow continued to make impact plays for the Warriors, getting a steal to set up White for a fastbreak basket before knocking down a corner three to give RCU a double-digit lead. The Warriors continued to dominate the glass the rest of the way and iced the game on free throws to get a third-consecutive win. 

STAT OF THE GAME

With nine assists, Walters has 16 career games with at least nine assists or more in just three seasons. 

UP NEXT

The Warriors return to Garth Pleasant Arena on Dec. 30 to face Trinity Christian in the Travis Bass Classic Presented by WeatherTech. Tipoff time is 5:00 p.m.

Hussein Murray - RCU Athletic Communications