New Britain, Conn. / Detrick Gymnaisum?The Robert Morris University women's basketball team cut a 16-point deficit to four points, but could not catch Central Connecticut State in a 76-63 loss in Northeast Conference action at Detrick Gymnasium in New Britain, Conn. With the win, the Blue Devils jump RMU for second in the conference standings improving to 14-8 and 9-3 in conference play. The Colonials fall to 12-11 and 8-3 in the NEC.
Senior guard Kendra Williams (Bronx, N.Y. / Mount St. Ursula) had a career-best 22 points in the game, hitting 8-of-17 shots as well as grabbing seven rebounds and knocking down three trifectas. Senior guard Sade Logan (Knoxville, Tenn. / South Doyle (Chattanooga State) ) had 23 points to lead Robert Morris. Junior guard Monet Johnson (Brooklyn, N.Y. / Grand Street Campus (Monroe College)) picked up her 12th double-double of the season with 11 points and 12 rebounds.
P.J. Wade carried the Blue Devils with timely baskets and finished with a career-best 27 points. Gabrielle Oglesby chipped in 17 points, nine from the charity stripe, and Shontice Simmons tacked on 13.
Central Connecticut State continued the hot shooting throughout the first half, burying seven three-pointers and outrebounding RMU, 28-19. The Blue Devils led, 37-24, at the break behind 15 points from P.J. Wade who knocked down 3-of-4 treys. The Colonials, meanwhile, struggled from the floor, shooting just 25.0 percent and 1-of-10 from long-range.
Robert Morris opened the second half on a 7-1 run, using free throws from Logan, a Johnson three-point play, and another Logan jumper to make it a 38-31 game 2:46 into the second half. The Blue Devils answered in the form of a 15-6 run, pushing the margin to a game-high 16 points, 53-37, with 12:00 minutes left in the game.
Trailing by 14 points three minutes later, Robert Morris made a move, scoring nine unanswered to cut the lead to five points. Logan and Kendra Williams hit jumpers followed by a pair of Johnson free throws that made it a 59-51 contest. Kendra Williams then knocked down a three-pointer to make it a five point game with 6:24 left. A Wade jumper was followed by another Kendra Williams three that put Robert Morris within four points.
But again, CCSU had an answer. RMU cut the lead to four on three more occasions, but each time Central put points on the board at the other end. The Blue Devils finished the game off by hitting 8-of-12 free throws in the final 1:23 to secure the victory.
Robert Morris travels to Brooklyn, N.Y., on Monday, February 9, to take on St. Francis (N.Y.) in a 7:00 p.m. tip-off at Peter Aquilone Court.
