Box Score Baltimore, Md. / Physical Education Complex-The
Robert Morris University basketball turned the ball over 35 times in a 59-52
loss at Coppin State University Friday afternoon. The Eagles were able to
capitalize on those errors and turn them into 26 points as they improve to 4-7.
RMU slips to 0-10.
"This was a very disappointing way for us to conclude the
first semester of the season," said RMU head coach Sal Buscaglia. "You can't
have that many turnovers and expect to win. Our youth and inexperience at the
guard position was taken advantage of by Coppin State, but we all had a hand in
not executing, catching the ball, passing and shooting. I hope we can get our
energy back and come back refreshed following the break."
Junior forward Artemis Spanou (Rhodes, Greece / Nea Smyrni)
led all players with 21 points and 12 rebounds, her eighth double-double in 10
games. She was 6-of-13 from the field and went 7-of-8 at the charity stripe
while playing all 40 minutes.
Junior guard Kelly Hartwell (Woodbridge, Va. / Gar-Field)
had her best outing of the season with 13 points. She tied her career with nine
rebounds as she went 5-of-12 from the field.
Robert Morris turned the ball over on its first five
possessions and found themselves trailing 9-0 early on. Hartwell came off the
bench and put the Colonials on the board with 15:08 to play in the first half.
Her energy sparked a 9-0 run with five points. The run cut
the margin to one point, 12-11, with 9:32 to play. The Colonials surged ahead,
18-16, on a three-pointer by Spanou and would hold Coppin State scoreless for 6:15.
The defense allowed RMU to push out to a 22-16 lead. The Eagles had the last
run of the half, however, and grabbed a 24-22 lead at the break as Shanice
Maynard and Leola Spotwood buried three pointers down the stretch.
The Eagles scored the first four points of the second half
to push the margin to 28-22. Four consecutive free throws by Spanou pulled the
margin to two points and a three-pointer by freshman Randi Jackson (Oakland,
Calif. / Bishop O'Dowd) tied the game at 29. Spanou then buried a three-pointer after an
Eagles free throw and RMU had a two-point lead.
The team's would trade runs once again as the Eagles surged
ahead, 39-34, before a 7-0 run fueled by four points from Spanou put the Colonials
back on top for the final time with 10:25 to play. Coppin State went on a 13-4
run to take control. RMU would cut the lead to three point with five minutes to
play but couldn't overcome the deficit.
Shanice Maynard and Leola Spotwood each had 14 points to
pace Coppin State.
The Colonials return to the hardwood December 30 when they
travel to Kent State for a 3:30 p.m. contest.