WARRIORS PICK UP WIN OVER ST. FRANCIS IN FAITH WORKS CLASSIC

ROCHESTER HILLS, Mich. - The Warriors picked up a strong win during the first game of the Faith Works Classic, defeating St. Francis (Ind.) 79-73. RCU got several strong performances, including 20 points and five assists from Gunner Walters while Brett White and Brody Parker combined for 33 points. Off the bench, Tymias Williams made his RCU debut, contributing 14 points, five rebounds, and two blocks. 

THE RUNDOWN

FIRST HALF

• The Warriors were off to the races early in the contest, thanks to a 5-5 first half from Walters who scored 13 of the Warriors' first 36. Forward Dustin Farrow helped RCU stay ahead early with a layup and a three on consecutive offensive possessions. Building from that momentum, center James Fisher provided another burst for the Warriors on offense, pulling down an offensive board to set up a three by White before hitting a jump hook off an assist by Brody Parker. Parker found Walters for a three on the next possession, giving the Warriors a double-digit lead
• The Cougars flipped a switch and went on a 14-0 run to snatch the lead from the Warriors and go up 23-19. However, the Warriors had an emphatic answer of their own lined up. RCU's defense came up with multiple steals, including a steal by Fisher that turned into a quick transition three for White. Shortly after, Walters nailed a jump shot and a layup to grow the lead, with White following up with a layup of his own. At halftime, the dust would settle on a 17-1 run that had the Warriors up 36-24

SECOND HALF

• Walters kept the magic touch going in the second half, knocking down a three to help RCU expand the lead even further. RCU forced multiple fouls to get some easy free throws before White hit another jump shot to get the lead to 17 with just over 16 minutes to go. Before the first media timeout of the half, the Warriors got a massive momentum boost with a block from Williams that was corralled by Walters, who threw the ball down to White for a three to keep the big lead. The Cougars adjusted to the Warrior offense for a moment, bringing their deficit down to seven with 11 minutes remaining
• The Warriors got backup double-digits behind back-to-back possessions from Williams and Walters that ended in baskets. Williams continued his strong game with two big jumpers in two minutes to keep the Warriors firmly ahead. Walters continued to create offense with assists and layups, but the Cougars made one last push with four minutes to go. Suddenly only up six, the Warriors needed to lock in and did so thanks to two clutch free throws by Parker and an offensive rebound by Williams that led to a three for White. Following that crucial stretch, the Warriors stayed in the driver's seat for the rest of the contest and took home their second win of the season

STAT OF THE GAME

Walters started 6-6 before missing his first field goal, ending at an efficient 8-13 performance. 

Hussein Murray - RCU Athletic Communications