Baltimore, Md. / P.E. Complex-The Robert Morris University women's basketball team held on for a 55-51 victory at Coppin State in the squad's non-conference finale Sunday afternoon. Robert Morris ends the non-conference portion of their slate at 5-7 overall. The Eagles fall to 2-9 overall.
"Continuing to be on the road for this stretch of games starts to wear on you and it's very difficult, but I'm proud of our team that we were able to make some big shots," said RMU head coach Sal Buscaglia. "Freshman Kelly Hartwell hit a tough baseline jumper and a big three and some free throws by Kristine Silaraja down the stretch. We didn't have a great second half with point guard Yohanna Morton fouled out I'm really proud that we were able to hold on for the victory."
Junior forward Mary Durojaye (London, England / British National U-20 Team) led five Robert Morris scorers with 16 points going 7-of-8 from the field. Senior Kristine Silaraja (Ventspils, Latvia / Barton County CC) added 13 points, including three treys.
Freshman Artemis Spanou (Rhodes, Greece / Greek National Team) earned her third double-double of the year, scoring 10 points and ripping down a season-best 14 rebounds. She also had six assists and two steals.
After a fast break lay-in on its first possession, Robert Morris struggled over the next five minutes with turnovers, allowing Coppin State to get out to a 9-4 lead fueled by three-pointers from Dawnae Roberts and Ashle Craig. Robert Morris responded with nine straight points, the last four points on layups by freshman Kelly Hartwell (Woodbridge, Va. / Gar-Field) who finished with nine points.
RMU held the Eagles without a field goal for 4:54 before Swantae Payne splashed a three from the left wing to put the hosts back up one-point, 14-13 with 10:46 to play in the half.
Two layups by Durojaye started a 20-3 run by Robert Morris that featured a pair of three-pointers by Silaraja along with long-balls from Spanou and senior guard Destiny Harrison (Niagara Falls, N.Y. / Niagara Falls). A pair of late baskets by Jeanine Manley ended the RMU run, but Spanou nailed a three-pointer with seven seconds left in the first half to give RMU a 36-21 lead at the break.
The Colonials came out of the locker room flat and Coppin State cut the lead to 11 points, 38-27. Four unanswered points by Durojaye pushed the margin back out to 15 points, 42-27, and just under 14 minutes left to play.
Led by Shawntae Payne, who scored 14 second half points, the Eagles pulled to within one points, 50-49, when Leola Spotwood hit a short jumper with 1:18 left in the game to cap a 23-7 run. Robert Morris went 4:26 without a point during that stretch before Harrison hit a free throw.
Silaraja drained a big three-pointer from the top of the key on the other end to push RMU's lead back out to four points. The native of Latvia essentially iced the game on Coppin State's next possession, securing a rebound, then hitting two free throws giving RMU a six-point lead with 10 seconds to play. Payne added a late runner to make the final score 55-51.
Payne finished the game with 17 points to lead all scorers.
The Colonials return to Northeast Conference action next Saturday, Jan. 8, when they travel to Mount St. Mary's for a 3:30 p.m. contest at Knott Arena in Emmitsburg, Md.
