ROCHESTER HILLS, Mich. – The Cougars suffered their first setback of the season on Friday night, falling 66-57 at Rochester College in the team's final tune-up before starting Crossroads League play next week.
After junior Greg Hamilton hit a jumper to tie the game at 2-2 early, Rochester's Nick Tatu hit the first of his five three-pointers to give the Warriors a lead that they would never relinquish.
Rochester (5-3), who received votes in the NAIA Preseason Coaches' Top 25 Poll, continued to extend its advantage, leading by as many as 17 just before halftime. The Warriors would connect on seven shots from behind the arc through the first 20 minutes while going a perfect 11-for-11 at the charity stripe.
Sophomore Caleb Hogans would tally the final three points of the period, however, to cut the Warrior lead to 40-26 at the break.
In the second half, the home team maintained its double-digit margin early, but Spring Arbor would make a run midway through the period to get back into the game. Trailing 51-34, freshman Jimmy Kodet would cap an 11-2 run with five straight points for the Cougars to narrow the deficit to eight, 53-45, with 8:18 remaining in the contest. Tatu would answer for Rochester, though, with another triple to push the lead back to 11.
Moments later, Hamilton buried a three to give SAU one last chance to close the gap. However, the Warriors would respond, again, with six straight points to dash any hopes for a Cougar comeback.
Rochester shot 47 percent (23-for-49) from the floor compared to Spring Arbor's 44 percent (24-for-54). The Warriors also held a 31-26 edge on the glass.
Hogans and Kodet turned in season-best performances to lead the Cougars. Hogans poured in 15 points followed by 13 from Kodet. Sophomore Thomas Starks added 12 points with seven rebounds and three assists while Hamilton finished the night with 11 points, seven boards and three steals.
Spring Arbor (6-1) will open Crossroads League play when it hosts Goshen College (6-2) on Tuesday, Nov. 25 at 7 p.m.
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