Rochester Takes Down Men's Basketball

(Rochester, MI)-- The Cleary Cougar men's basketball team dug themselves into a hole, made a comeback, then saw the host Rochester Warriors pull away in the second half in Wednesday evening's WHAC matchup in Rochester.

Rochester would start the game on an 11-2 run, with Cleary's two points coming from Tyree Jones in that span.  Tim Kewley got a tip-in to cut into the deficit, and Bennie Crenshaw Jr. would make a jumper to keep the Cougars within striking distance.  Brockton Kohler would hit a jump shot for his first points to cut the Warrior lead to 17-11, and Jaylen Cole-Williams hit another jumper to cut the Warrior lead to 4 points with ten minutes to play in the opening half.  A pair of Warriors baskets extended the hosts' lead, but Brockton Kohler and Tyree Jones would help cut the deficit to 3 points, with Rochester leading 29-27.  The Warriors would finish the half on an 8-2 run to take a 37-29 lead into the halftime break.

The second half would continue the Warrior run, as Rochester quickly expanded their lead to double-digits, and building their largest lead of the game with 6:30 to play.  A flurry of three pointers late would help the Cougars cut into the lead, but it would be too much to overcome, as Rochester went on to defeat Cleary by a 71-60 scoreline.

Brockton Kohler had a team high 20 points off the bench, including going 6-9 from behind the arc, to lead the Cleary attack.  Chris Williams added 11 points.  AJ Hess chipped in 7 points and 6 rebounds.

The loss drops Cleary to 1-18 overall, 1-13 in the WHAC.  Cleary will be on the road again this Saturday, February 3, when they take on the Siena Heights Saints in Adrian.  Tip-off is scheduled for 5:00 PM.