GAME 7
Robert Morris (3-3) @ Youngstown State (2-5)
Wednesday, November 29, 2017 • 7:00 p.m.
Beeghly Center (6,300) • Youngstown, Ohio

Radio: ESPN 970 AM & 106.3 FM
Radio Talent: Chris Shovlin (pxp) & Jim Elias (color)
Video: ESPN3 • YSUSports.com
 
Quick Hits
 
- The Robert Morris University men's basketball team closes out the month of November by continuing an eight-game road trip to open its 2017-18 season Wednesday with a 7:00 p.m. tip against Youngstown State at the Beeghly Center in Youngstown, Ohio.
 
- The Colonials stretched their winning streak to three by concluding the Grand Canyon Classic with a 78-64 victory @ Little Rock (11/25/17). Sophomore guard Dachon Burke was one of four players to reach double figures in scoring against the Trojans, tying a career high with 17 points to go along with eight rebounds and three assists.
 
- Freshman forward Koby Thomas and junior guard Matty McConnell each scored 15 points in the win @ Little Rock (11/25/17), while freshman guard Leondre Washington supplied 12 points off the bench. Thomas also grabbed nine rebounds.
 
- During its three-game winning streak, RMU is holding opponents to an average of 58.7 points per game. Opponents are also averaging 22.33 turnovers over the past three games.
 
- Through six games of its season-opening eight-game road trip, Robert Morris has traveled 6,770 miles (round trip) and played in all four time zones (Eastern, Central, Mountain and Pacific). Wednesday's game @ Youngstown State is RMU's second shortest trip of the year (Duquesne), as it is 59 miles from RMU to the Beeghly Center.
 
- RMU posted a 75-53 victory over Norfolk State (11/24/17) in the first of two games at the Jack Stephens Center in Little Rock, Ark., as part of the Grand Canyon Classic. In 25 minutes, freshman forward Koby Thomas scored a game-high 21 points on 9-for-10 shooting from the field, including a 3-for-4 performance from beyond the arc.
 
- Freshman guard Leondre Washington contributed 16 points and five assists off the bench in the win over the Spartans, while sophomore guard Dachon Burke registered 15 points, five assists and a pair of steals.
 
- Sophomore guard Dachon Burke was named the NEC Co-Player of the Week after averaging 16.0 points, 5.5 rebounds and 4.0 assists while shooting 61.9 percent (13-for-21) from the field in wins over Norfolk State and Little Rock. Freshman forward Koby Thomas, meanwhile, earned his second NEC Rookie of the Week accolade after averaging 18.0 points and 6.5 rebounds in the same two contests.
 
- RMU picked up its first win of the 2017-18 season courtesy of a 66-59 victory @ Duquesne (11/19/17). Junior guard Matty McConnell and junior forward Malik Petteway each scored 13 points to lead the Colonials. Petteway added a career-high 14 rebounds in the win to register his second double-double of the young season.
 
- Sophomore guard Dachon Burke added 11 points, 10 rebounds and four steals in RMU's win over the Dukes, while freshman forward Koby Thomas contributed 10 points and eight rebounds.

LINKS
- Game Notes (PDF)
- Game Notes (ISSUU)
- Audio
- Video
- Live Stats
 
Grand Canyon Classic Tidbits - Robert Morris earned victories over Norfolk State (11/24/17) and Little Rock (11/25/17), and both games were the first in the all-time series between the two programs ... The Colonials finished 2-2 (.500) in the Grand Canyon Classic ... RMU's 75-53 victory over Norfolk State (11/24/17) helped the Colonials improve to 7-2 (.778) in eight seasons under head coach Andrew Toole when playing on a neutral court ... Sophomore guard Dachon Burke averaged 14.5 points, 5.0 rebounds, 2.3 assists and 2.0 steals in four games of the Grand Canyon Classic ... Freshman forward Koby Thomas provided averages of 13.8 points and 5.5 rebounds in the Grand Canyon Classic and shot 56.4 percent (22-for-39) fro the field ... Junior foward Malik Petteway averaged 7.8 points and 7.8 rebounds in four games of the Grand Canyon Classic.
 
Forcing The Issue - A good sign for Robert Morris in the early portion of the 2017-18 slate has been its ability to force opponents into turnovers. The Colonials have forced more turnovers than committing in each of their first six games of the season and own a turnover margin of +3.80. Entering Wednesday's game @ Youngstown State, RMU ranks sixth in NCAA Division I in forced turnovers, as opponents average 20.43 per game. During its three-game winning streak, Robert Morris has forced an average of 22.33 miscues per contest. In a 78-64 win @ Little Rock (11/25/17) that closed out the Grand Canyon Classic, the Colonials outscored the Trojans, 35-15, in points off turnovers, and overall this season are averaging 21.7 points per contest in the category.
 
Jelly Fam - Freshman guard Leondre Washington was a key component in helping RMU extend its winning streak to three with a pair of wins in Little Rock, Ark., last week. In wins over Norfolk State (11/24/17) and Little Rock (11/25/17), Washington averaged 14.0 points and 3.0 assists while shooting 53.8 percent (7-for-13) from the field, including 55.6 percent (5-for-9) from beyond the arc. He also went a perfect 9-for-9 at the free-throw line. Washington's exploits as a reserve are a big reason Robert Morris is receiving an average of 24.0 points per game from its bench. The Colonials, who own a +3.8 scoring margin against their opponents reserves, have had at least one player score in double figures off the bench in each of the last five games.
 
Weekly Honors - Sophomore guard Dachon Burke was named the Northeast Conference Co-Player of the Week Nov. 27, and joining him in garnering a weekly accolade was freshman forward Koby Thomas, who earned his second NEC Rookie of the Week plaudit of the young season. It marks the first time in over five years a pair of Colonials were honored in the same week. On Jan. 23, 2012, guard Velton Jones (2008-13) was selected NEC Co-Player of the Week, while forward Lucky Jones (2011-15) was tabbed NEC Rookie of the Week.
 
Defense Wins Championships - The numbers bear out that following in the footsteps of defending is victories. Thanks to a 78-64 win @ Little Rock (11/25/17) to close out the Grand Canyon Classic, the Colonials improved to 159-45 (.779) since the beginning of the 2007-08 campaign when holding their opponent to less than 70 points. Under Andrew Toole, RMU owns a mark of 106-37 (.741) when turning the trick. Overall in the last 11 years, the Colonials have held their opponent to under 70 points 58.6 percent (205-of-350) of the time.
 
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