WARRIORS COMPLETE HOMECOMING GAME WITH OAKLAND; WHITE LEADS WITH 31

ROCHESTER HILLS, Mich. - It was a rowdy homecoming game for Warrior men's basketball on Friday night, with the team hosting Oakland University for an exciting exhibition matchup. Both teams were engaged in a thrilling first half, which saw many back-and-forth baskets and several highlight plays. The Golden Grizzlies opened things up in the second half en route to an 87-74 loss for Rochester Christian. Senior forward Brett White led RCU with 31 points, including 5-9 shooting from three, while senior guard Brody Parker was up next with 18. 

THE RUNDOWN

FIRST HALF 

• The teams were off to the races with Warrior freshman Dustin Farrow getting things started with a layup. Warrior center James Fisher made his presence felt on the glass with an offensive rebound and tip-in to answer a similar play by the Golden Grizzlies' Allen Mukeba, who finished with a 24-10 stat line. White knocked down his first three minutes later off an assist by guard Gunner Walters. The Warriors stayed active on the offensive glass, creating a variety of second-chance opportunities. Parker knocked down a three at the 11:36 mark to bring the Warriors within four
• The momentum shifted in RCU's favor in the final ten minutes, which was much-needed after a brief run by Oakland put the visitors up ten. The Warriors' guard tandem of Walters and Parker got RCU into a 7-0 run, scoring a basket each before Walters found White for an and-one. Parker made the run 10-0 with a three before Oakland regained the lead with a layup by March Madness returner DQ Cole. Walters ignited the crowd with two straight layups, including a high-arching layup over two defenders for an and-one to help RCU take the lead. As the half wound down, Mukeba helped the Golden Grizzlies regain a three-point lead heading into the halftime break

SECOND HALF

• Following a first-possession basket by the Golden Grizzlies, White nailed a catch-and-shoot fadeaway to keep RCU within close, followed by a layup from a Farrow assist. The Golden Grizzlies began to build a run behind big defensive plays from guard Jaylen Jones, who set up Oakland with multiple transition baskets. White slowed the run down with another jumper, while newcomer Lucas Brannen hit a three to bring RCU within nine. As the half wound near the ten-minute mark, the Warriors and Golden Grizzlies continued to trade baskets
• Oakland began to create some separation as the second half entered its final ten minutes, capitalizing on multiple offensive rebounds, including a putback dunk by Buru Naivalurua. The lead continued to grow for Oakland, who went up by as much as 17. White hit two threes to slim the deficit, but Oakland's squad was firing on all cylinders offensively to prevent the Warriors from going on a big run. Parker and the Warriors started to cut the margin down, getting the game within ten points behind a three from the former Oakland guard. Following another Golden Grizzly basket, White hit another three in the corner to get RCU within nine. However, Mukeba continued to make his presence known in the paint, preventing an RCU comeback with multiple well-placed layups to seal the game

STAT OF THE GAME 

In total competitions, this is White's third game with at least five made threes on over 50% efficiency as a Warrior. 

 UP NEXT

The Warriors will begin the regular season at home on Nov. 2 against Lambton at Garth Pleasant Arena, tipping off at 3 p.m.

Hussein Murray - RCU Athletic Communications

Featured Image: Hanna Swanson - StudioLens.Han