Warriors end Season in dissapointing National Tournament
Despite entering the 2008 USCAA National Tournament with a 20-10 record and the #1 seed, the Warriors knew that winning a National Championship would be a difficult task. With the #1 seed the warriors earned a 1st round bye in the tournament, which would mean that they would not play their first game until Friday evening. After watching #5 seed Florida College cruise to victory over #4 seed Southern Virginia, the team knew that they would have to play well to earn a victory.
When the Warriors were finally able to play, they came out shooting well from the floor making 50% of their shots (15 of 30) in the first half. Despite the hot shooting from the warriors, the game would be tied at 35 apiece heading into halftime. The team would fight hard in the second half, but come up short losing 72-75 to Florida College. Tyler Leipprandt led the warriors effort with 21 points and 13 rebounds in the loss. Odai Baylor chipped in 15 points on 5 of 9 shooting from the 3-point line. The loss put the warriors in the consolation game against #2 seed Apprentice School from Newport News, Virginia. The warriors would lose that game 72-84 after giving up a 20 point lead late in the game.
Despite the two loses, Senior Tyler Leipprandt earned two post season honors. On Tuesday night Tyler was named to the 2008 1st team USCAA All-American team, and after the game Saturday he was named to the 2008 All-tournament team. Leipprandt in two games averaged 17.5 points and 8.5 rebounds. The warriors ended the season with a 20-12 mark.
The Rochester College Athletic department would like to thank Seniors Tyler Leipprandt, Odai Baylor, Andrew Clark, and Colt Walker for their incredible contribution to RC Athletics and to the community of Rochester College.
22 February 2008
Warriors claim victory #20 led by big men
In a game where an inside presence was needed, the warrior big men came up big in a 73-57 victory over Marygrove college. Steve McCune's 14 points (8 rebounds)and Andrew Clark's 11 rebounds (8 points) were the catalyst that provided the warriors with the spark to claim the win. The Warriors would struggle early in the game to catch a rythm offensively, as they would only shoot 37% from the floor and just 16% from behind the 3 point arc. Despite the poor shooting the warriors would go into half time with a slim 3 point lead 28-25.
The warriors knew coming out for the 2nd half that defense was going to be the key to earn the win. The team would increase their defensive effort, and it created opportunities offensively that would propel the warriors into the lead by as much as 21 points. Rochester also dominated the rebound game with a 49-30 advantage including 16 offensive rebounds for the warriors.
Tyler Leipprandt would lead the warriors with 17 points, Odai Baylor would end up one rebound shy of a double/double with 10 points and 9 rebounds. John Djurovski would round out scorers in double digits with 10 points. The win lifts the warriors regular season total to 20 wins and just 10 loses. Next up for Rochester is a trip to Tulsa, Oklahoma for the USCAA National Tournament. The Warriors earned the #1 seed in the tournament and therefore earned a first round bye. They will take on the winner of #4 Southern Viginia and #5 Florida College.
15 February 2008
Seniors honored and the Warriors claim victory #19
Warriors seniors Andrew Clark, Odai Baylor, Colt Walker, and Tyler Leipprandt were honored before the game against Andrews University last night. Each senior was given a basketball from Coach Garth Pleasant that marked each seniors contribution to the Warrior Basketball program and to the community of Rochester College. After the ceremony the warriors tipped it up looking for their 19th win of the season. The warriors started off a bit sluggish and only carried a 13 point lead into half time (38-25). Tyler Leipprandt paced the warriors in the first half with 14 points and 6 rebounds.
The start of the second half was more like what the team wants to do against any opponent. The Warriors raised the defensive intensity, which created scoring opportunites leading to the team scoring 32 points in just over 8 minutes. The warriors would go on to score 58 second half points which led to the final score of 96-50 in favor of the Warriors.
The victory raised the season record to 19 wins and 10 loses. The Warriors next play a re-match game at Marygrove College on February 21st. The Warriors won the first match-up in a tough 76-66 game on February 11th. If the Warriors win the game on the 21st they will have secured their 7th consecutive 20 win season.
12 February 2008
Warriors pick up hard earned victory 76-66
The men's basketball team took on USCAA rival Marygrove College on Monday night. While the Warriors came out with hot shooting from the field (50%), it was the Marygrove Mustangs that stole the show with a blistering 65% shooting performance, including 69% from 3 point range. The Mustangs would build a 12 point lead in the first half, until a mini-run from the warriors would cut the lead to 6 points going into the first half break. Rochester trailed Marygrove 49-43 when the second half started, and that is when the warriors would stifle the mustangs, holding them to just 5 total points in the first eight minutes of the half. With 11:45 left in the game Robert Fragoso would steal a mustang inbounds pass and score a lay-up to put Rochester in the lead for good. The Warriors would go on to claim a 76-66 victory.
Rochester was led by Odai Baylor's 24 points on 6 of 11 shooting from 3 point range. Tyler Leipprandt chipped in 15 points. Rob Fragoso provided 9 points and 8 assists from the point guard spot, while Warrior post players combined for 18 points and 14 rebounds (Andrew Clark 8 pts 7 reb, Steve McCune 8 points 6 reb, Akeem Carroll 2 pts 1 reb). Leading the way defensively was Akeem Carroll, who came off the bench to lead the defensive charge in the second half. He was the main reason the Mustangs shot just 28% from the floor in the second half.
The win lifts the Warrior season record to 18-10. The next game for the Warriors will be Thursday February 14th @ 8:00 pm against Andrews University. That game will mark Senior night as Seniors Tyler Leipprandt, Odai Baylor, Andrew Clark, and Colt Walker will be honored before the game for their contribution to Rochester College and the Warrior Basketball program. The game will be played at Oakland Christian High School. Note the game time switch from 6 pm to 8 pm. The Warrior women will take on Andrews just before the men's game at 6:00 pm.
08 February 2008
Warriors gearing up for another championship run
The Warrior men's basketball team is preparing to travel to Tulsa, Oklahoma to make a run at a USCAA National Championship. Before they can go, however, they have to finish out the remainder of the season in a strong manner. The current record for the team stands at 16-10 with four games remaining. On Monday February 11th the Warriors will take on USCAA rival Marygrove College at Rochester High School. On Thursday, February 14th RC will host Andrews University on Senior night. Seniors Odai Baylor, Tyler Leipprandt, Andrew Clark, and Colt Walker will be honored before the game. That game will mark the last home game of the season for the warriors before they head to Tulsa for the tournament.
Despite a tough loss on Friday, February 1st to Finlandia (71-76) the team is beginning to hit their stride as they head into tournament play. Leading the way for the warriors are seniors Odai Baylor and Tyler Leipprandt. Baylor is shooting 52% from 3-point range while scoring just over 11 points per game, and Leipprandt is scoring 12.5 points per game. Juniors John Djurovski and Rob Fragoso are providing scoring and floor leadership as Djurovski is scoring 13 points per game and Fragoso is averaging over 6 assists per game.
Last evening the Warriors traveled to Grand Rapids to take on Kuyper College. RC came home with a hard faught 82-71 victory. The Warriors were led by Odai Baylors 28 points on 6 of 9 shooting from 3-point range. John Djurovski scored 17 points and Tyler Leipprandt provided 14 points. Leipprandt provided an emphatic statement late in the game as he drove down the middle of the lane to finish with a thunderous one handed dunk over a defender. The warriors shot 50% from the floor (28 of 56) and 54.5% from 3-point range (12 of 22). Robert Fragoso had another strong game from the point as he dished out 8 assists to go along with his 8 points.
The Warriors will travel saturday to take on Lambton College in Sarnia, Canada. Game time is scheduled for 1:00 p.m. in what is expected to be a tough game for the Warriors.
05 December 2007
Warriors get back on winning track with victory over Andrews University
The RC men's basketball team traveled to Berrien Springs, MI to take on the Cardinals of Andrews University to try to get back into the win column. They were successful in doing that by claiming a 97-55 road victory. The team started the game with hot shooting as they would connect of 11 of 14 3-pointers to take a 61-32 half time edge. The second half was much the same for the warriors as they would increase their lead to 40 points. The RC men were led by seniors Tyler Leipprandt (23 pts) and Odai Baylor (20 pts) along with Rob Fragoso who ended up just shy of posting a triple double. Rob had 10 points, 9 assists, and 8 rebounds for the game. The win pushes the warriors to 7-4 on the season. The team will have a break as they prepare to take on Grand Valley State University at Grand Valley on December 17th. The GVSU Lakers are ranked #2 in the country for NCAA Division 2.
24 November 2007
Warriors fall short against Division I University of Detroit 67-51
Over the thanksgiving break the RC men's basketball team traveled to Detroit to take on the University of Detroit Titans. Entering the game the warriors were huge underdogs, but they proved to be a tough dog to beat. During the first half the warriors had the lead 3 different times, and only trailed by 2 points at the half 30-32. The warriors were able to shoot 52 percent from the floor in the first half including 5 of 10 shooting from the 3 point line. Helping keep RC in the game the first half was a 14 to 11 advantage in rebounding. The Warriors were led in scoring by senior guard Odai Baylor (Lake Orion) with 23 points, which led all scorers in the game. Not helping the warriors in the second half was a Titan 10-3 spurt to begin the second half, and a 5:24 scoring drought for RC.
As is the case with the warriors, they would not give up and would fight to the end for the final 16 point deficit. The road doesn't get any easier for the warrior men as they will travel to Andrews University on December 4th, followed by a December 17th game at Grand Valley State University and Oakland University on December 19th.
19 November 2007
RC Men bounce back after big defeat from Albion College to win against Tri-State University
The weekend began on a sour note as the RC men's basketball team traveled to Albion College for the Rotary Club Tip off tournament. The Warriors fell to the host Britons 40-85. The combination of poor play and a hot Albion team contributed to the lopsided victory. The Warriors were led by senior Odai Baylor's 22 points. Baylor was the lone bright spot for a warrior team that shot just 24 percent from the floor. The Britons shot 57 percent from the floor including an 11 of 23 showing from behind the three point line.
The warriors did not let the lopsided loss destroy their effort as they would take on a very good Tri-State University team on Saturday. RC would come out to a slow start against the Thunder and would go into the half down 14 points as the warriors shot just 25 percent from the floor. The first half shooting woes for the warriors would soon be erased as RC would shoot 52 percent from the floor in the second half. The warriors tied the game on a Steve McCune (22 points) jumper with 1:59 left to play. The score would remain tied until Tyler Leipprandt's 3 pointer would find the bottom of the net with just over 7 seconds left in the game to put the warriors up 58-55. The Thunder would have one more chance as they would attempt to tie the game on a three pointer with 4 seconds left. That shot fell short and out of bounds with just 1 second on the clock. The Warriors would inbound the ball and secure the come from behind victory and raise their season record to 6-2.
Next on the schedule for the Warriors is a trip to NCAA Division II Saginaw Valley State University on Monday night. Game time is scheduled for 7 pm.
14 November 2007
Andrew Clark saves the day as RC takes one at Madonna University
Andrew Clark scored on a put back with 1.1 seconds left in overtime as the warrior men steal a victory at Madonna University 81-80. The Warrior men trailed most of the entire game, but were able to tie the score on a Rob Fragoso free throw with 4.7 seconds left in regulation. The overtime period began with RC scoring first, but Madonna quickly answered with a score of their own. From that point on the teams would exchange baskets until Madonna would take an 80-79 lead with just under 20 seconds left in overtime. Rochester would have the ball for the last possession of the game. Tyler Leipprandt, who led RC with 20 points, had a good look at the basket with 5 seconds left on the clock. That shot fell off the rim as Andrew Clark had a hand on the tip that would miss, but fall back into his arms for a put back with 1.1 seconds left on the clock. Clark finished the game with 8 points and a game high 14 rebounds. Junior point guard Rob Fragoso and junior Marjon Lucas came up with big plays all game long. Fragoso would end up with 13 points and 4 huge steals, while Lucas finished the game with 6 points and 3 steals. Junior guard John Djurovski contributed 15 points off of the bench, as he hit some big shots for the warriors from behind the 3 point line. The win improves the warrior record to 5-1.
Next on the schedule for the RC men is a trip to Albion for the Albion College Tip-off Tournament on the 15th and 16th. They will take on the host Albion College at 8 pm.
10 November 2007
Warrior Men Start Season 4-1 and claim Homecoming victory
The Rochester College men's basketball team has had a successful start to the 07-08 season including a 71-52 homecoming victory on Saturday. The homecoming game pitted the men against the Lions of Lambton College (Sarnia, Ontario, Canada). Despite a slow start by the warriors, they were able to take a 37-26 lead into half time. In the first half the warriors shot just 38% from the floor including a bismal 2 of 9 from beyond the 3 point line. The second half saw the warriors increase their defensive energy to increase their 11 point lead to 20 points. The Warriors were led by junior forward Steve McCune who tallied a game high 29 points and 8 rebounds. It was McCune's energy that lifted the rest of the team as the warriors dominated the rebounding game 39-26. For the game the warriors shot 42% from the field and 76% from the free throw line.
In the previous 4 games leading to homecoming the Warriors claimed victories over Dayspring Bible College, St. Clair College (Canada), and Kuyper College. The lone loss of the season came against Olivet Nazarene University on November 2nd. The Warriors lost that game 49-61 against the NAIA Division 1 #18 ranked Tigers.
The Warriors will travel to Madonna University on Tuesday November 13 to start a tough stretch of games on the road. Other games include Albion College tournament, Saginaw Valley State, University of Detroit. The next home game will be against Madonna University on November 29, 2007.
11 October 2007
2007-2008 Season Preview
The Rochester College Men's Basketball program continued its success in 2006-2007 as it posted its 6th consecutive 20+ win season with a 21-11 record. Head Coach Garth Pleasant earned his 600th career victory on October 20, 2006 with a 78-62 win over St. Clair College from Canada. Though the team did not reach their ultimate goal of a National Championship, they did however have a great season. The 2007-2008 edition of the Rochester College men's basketball team will have to take the experiences from last years season and translate them into more victories this season.
The Team
The Warriors consist of 4 seniors, (Tyler Leipprandt, Odai Baylor, Colt Walker, and Andrew Clark) 8 juniors (Rob Fragoso, Steve McCune, Tommy Webb, John Djurovski, Marjon Lucas, Brian Tsacoumangos, Dan Drwencke, and Chris Carrecker) 1 sophomore in Akeem Carroll and 1 freshman in Jason Doran. Experience will be a key to success this season. Tyler Leipprandt (Ubly High School), a 6'4" swing player will be the leading returning scorer from last season and will be looked upon to continue in that role. He averaged 12.4 points per contest to go along with 4.3 rebounds. With his ability to play multiple positions on offense and guard multiple positions on defense, he will cause match-up problems for many opponents. Odai Baylor (Lake Orion High School) will look to improve upon last season's performance and return to his sophomore season form where he averaged 11.2 points per contest. He was hampered last season by an injury to his Achilles heal. Colt Walker (Whitney HS, Texas) will finish out his playing career looking to become a major contributor for this team. Known for his incredible work ethic, Colt will be looked at to provide leadership both in practices and games. Andrew Clark rounds out the senior class, and is the team's lone center. He will have to provide the inside presence for a team that is lacking in overall height.
The remainder of the team will be lead by some key juniors. The most experienced of the juniors are point guard Rob Fragoso (Detroit Catholic Central) and forward Steve McCune (Chippewa Valley HS) as both have played Varsity their entire careers. Fragoso will have to continue his solid play in order for the team to have success. He led the team in assists last season with 5.6 per contest while also averaging 2.4 steals. McCune is a 6'5" versatile forward that has the ability to face the basket to create scoring opportunities. He will be looked at to increase both his scoring and rebounding averages from last year (5.7 PPG, 3.5 RPG). Two key transfers from Macomb Community College will be looked at to make instant impacts on this year's team. Marjon Lucas (Clintondale HS), a 6'0" point guard is a tremendous defender and has a great ability to rebound from the guard position. John Djurovski (Brother Rice HS) is a 6'2" sharp shooter that will work to start at one of the other guard positions on the floor. 6'7" forward, Brian Tsacoumangos (Troy Athens) will provide needed height coming off of the bench after spending two years on the junior varsity team. Dan Drwencke (Lutheran North) is a 6'6" forward that will miss the early part of the season due to stress fractures in his lower legs. Guard Chris Carrecker returns to the college after leaving to attend Oakland Community College. He is a strong versatile guard that has the ability to post up smaller guards. He will come off of the bench and provide valuable minutes to the team.
The lone sophomore on the team is Akeem Carroll (River Rouge HS). He is a 6'5" forward that spent last season on the junior varsity. He will bring tremendous energy for the team off of the bench this season. Rounding out the roster is the only freshman, Jason Doran (Chippewa Valley HS). He is a 6'7" forward that will provide rebounding and defense.
The Schedule
The Warriors will face tough opponents this season including two NCAA Division I teams in Oakland University (12/19) and University of Detroit-Mercy (11/24). Other opponents include NCAA Division II final four participants Grand Valley State University (12/17) along with D II Northwood University (1/19/08), Saginaw Valley State University (11/19), University of West Florida (1/2/08), and University of Alabama-Huntsville (1/3/08). The Warriors will also face NAIA powerhouses in Olivet Nazarene (IL) and The University of Mobile (AL). The USCAA National Tournament will once again be held at Rhema Bible College in Tulsa, Oklahoma February 26- March 1, 2008. The team will look to get back to the National Championship game where they fell one point shy in the final four last year against Northwest Christian College (Oregon).
