In a battle of teams tied for second place in the Wolverine-Hoosier Athletic Conference standings, Lourdes earned a 72-65 road victory over Rochester (Mich.) on Saturday afternoon inside of Garth Pleasant Arena in Rochester Hills, Mich.
 
The Gray Wolves forced 16 Warrior turnovers and converted them into 19 points while Lourdes turned the ball over just seven times on offense, allowing Rochester to capitalize with just two points.
 
"Our zone was excellent," head coach Dennis Hopson said afterwards.  "The guys were really active and got their hands on balls and that was the biggest key today.  They really understood the importance of the game."
 
After Rochester scored the game's first four points, Lourdes went on a 13-0 spurt to take the lead, an advantage the Gray Wolves would not relinquish.  The Warriors closed to within three, 34-31, with four minutes to play before halftime before Lourdes extended the lead back to eight, 44-36, at intermission.
 
The lead grew to 11, 52-41, just four minutes out of the locker room before Rochester answered with a 13-4 run to close within two.  Lourdes never allowed the Warriors to pull back even though, and extended the lead back to eight with five minutes remaining.  Rochester again would cut the advantage to two late, but the Gray Wolves held on to take over sole possession of second place in the standings.
 
Jackie Harris (Toledo, Ohio/Saint Francis de Sales H.S.) led Lourdes with 21 points while Little Anderson (Toledo, Ohio/Cardinal Stritch H.S.) added 16 more.  Joey Holifield (Toledo, Ohio/Cardinal Stritch H.S.) chipped in 15 points while Clif Snow (Middletown, Ohio/Middletown H.S.) tallied a double-double with 13 points and 11 rebounds. 
 
Brandon Michrina and Gunnar Walters each led Rochester (16-8, 11-5 WHAC) with 11 points.
 
Lourdes (17-6, 12-4) returns home on Wednesday evening as the Gray Wolves welcome Madonna to the Russell J. Ebeid Recreation Center.  Tip-off is set for 7:30 p.m.