Bethlehem, Pa. – The
Robert Morris University men's basketball opened its December slate Saturday with a 64-58 loss to Lehigh at Stabler Arena.
Senior guard
Kavon Stewart converted a three-point play with 5:37 remaining that gave RMU (2-7) a 50-47 lead, but Tim Kempton answered on the next possession for the Mountain Hawks, converting his own three-point play to knot the game for the ninth time, 50-50.
The game remained tied until Kempton was sent to the free-throw line at the 4:11 mark of the second half. He hit one of his two attempts to push Lehigh (3-4) in front, 51-50. Kahron Ross followed with a layup for the Mountain Hawks, and a dunk from Kempton with 2:25 to play gave Lehigh a 55-50 advantage.
Senior forward
Billy Giles followed with a jumper to close RMU to within 55-52, but Kyle Leufroy drained a three-pointer with 1:44 to go that gave the Mountain Hawks a 58-52 cushion.
Robert Morris made one last charge, pulling to within 58-56 thanks to a jumper and a pair of free throws from Stewart. Leufroy came through again for Lehigh, hitting a pair at the chalk with 18 seconds remaining that helped seal the victory.
"It's frustrating, for sure, to come up a couple possessions short," head coach
Andrew Toole said. "Until we learn not to relax or not to relent, we're going to come up short. We played hard and tough, the way we're supposed to play, for probably 32 or 34 minutes tonight, but that little let down is what is going to cost you game."
Robert Morris held a 32-27 edge at halftime thanks to holding Lehigh to just one field goal over the final 9:50 of the first half. Ross hit a three-pointer at the buzzer to help the Mountain Hawks trim their deficit to five at the break.
Sophomore guard
Isaiah Still and freshman guard
Clive Allen each scored 10 points before the break for RMU as the Colonials shot 53.8 percent (14-for-26) from the field in the first half. However, the Colonials dipped to 38.5 percent (10-for-26) after the break.
"We got a lot of good opportunities in the first half, but we didn't really move very well on offense in the second half," Toole said. "We have to be able to match the intensity of our opponent. If the opponent makes it difficult for you, we have to make it difficult for our opponent."
Still led Robert Morris with 17 points, while Stewart scored all of his 13 points after halftime while also compiling four rebounds and three assists.
Kempton led the Mountain Hawks with 15 points and 10 rebounds and also registered three assists, three blocks and two steals.
RMU returns home for its next two games, the first of which will be played at PPG Paints Arena. The Colonials will host Duquesne in a 7:00 p.m. tip Tuesday, Dec. 6.
