GAME 10
Clarion Golden Eagles (5-5) at Robert Morris Colonials (6-3)
Saturday, December 16, 2017 // 1:00 p.m. // Moon Township, Pa. – North Athletic Complex
Live Video: NEC Front Row // Live Stats: RMUColonials.com
Play-by-Play: Adam Gusky, Color Commentary: Justin Pyles

The Capsule
Riding a four-game winning streak - tying the longest out-of-league mark since 1986-87 - Robert Morris looks to add another non-conference victory when it hosts Clarion on Saturday, Dec. 16 for the second game of a three-game home stand. The Colonials have been dominant over this recent four-game stretch, with their average margin of victory being 23.5 points. RMU's defense has been extremely strong thus far, allowing an average of 49.4 points in its last eight games.

NOTES: Clarion @ Robert Morris (12.16.17)

The Opponent
Clarion, an NCAA Division II institution, sits at 5-5 overall and 1-4 in the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC). Robert Morris will be the Golden Eagles' second Division I opponent in as many seasons, as they fell to Cincinnati, 92-54, on Dec. 18, 2016. Clarion has three players averaging double-figures in scoring, led by senior guard Amesha Harden-Pullium and her 14.9 points per game. Junior guard Jordan Bekelja is at 11.7 points per contest, while sophomore forward Tracy Wiehe owns averages of 10.7 points and 7.0 rebounds in 25.3 minutes per game.

The Series
Overall: 5-1 | Home: 0-0 | Away: 2-0 | Streak: W5
Last Game: Robert Morris 60, Clarion 43 (1983-84)
 
Robert Morris and Clarion have not played since the 1983-84 season when the Colonials were still in their early stages as a program. RMU has defeated the Golden Eagles in five of six meetings, with the lone blemish coming in their first contest during the 1977-78 campaign.

Coach B Weekly
In the seventh episode of Coach B Weekly, head coach Charlie Buscaglia discusses the following: victories over Delaware State and Lafayette, the return of Shakema Dashiell from injury, RMU's out-of-league success this season, and Saturday against Clarion.


 
Last Time Out
Robert Morris picked up its fourth consecutive win on Saturday, defeating Lafayette, 63-42. The Colonials again used a dominant fourth quarter to put the game away, outscoring the Leopards, 16-6, over the final 10 minutes. Nneka Ezeigbo nearly posted a double-double with 12 points and nine rebounds, while Megan Smith added 11 points for her third straight double-digit scoring performance.
 
Out-of-League Success
The Colonials' victory over Lafayette was their sixth of the season, surpassing the total in non-conference play from the 2016-17 team. With one more victory over the next two games, RMU will tie the school record for out-of-league wins with seven, originally set in 1986-87. Additionally, a win against Clarion on Sunday will give the Colonials a five-game winning streak - which would be the program's longest ever in non-conference play.
 
Lock 'Em Down
Robert Morris has prided itself on defense in its history and this season is no different. A season after establishing a new program record for points per game allowed at 57.0, the Colonials are currently allowing an average of 55.0 points per contest, which ranks tops in the NEC and 22nd nationally. RMU's field goal percentage defense (.374) also paces the NEC and slots inside the Top 100 at 97th.
 
Fourth Quarter, Our Quarter
One of the biggest reasons for RMU's start to the season is the way it has closed out games. The Colonials own a +38 point difference in the fourth quarter, and have doubled up their opponents over the last four closing stanzas. That stretch includes differences of 27-10 over Youngstown State, 16-7 over Monmouth, 18-6 over Delaware State, and 16-6 over Lafayette.
 
Protect Ya Nneka
Second-year center Nneka Ezeigbo has showed no signs of a sophomore slump thus far in 2017-18, leading the Colonials in scoring at 11.4 points per game while ranking second in rebounding at 6.1 caroms per contest. Ezeigbo, who has been named NEC Player of the Week once this season, has tallied double-digit points in five of seven games and posted a 15-point, 10-rebound double-double at Cal Poly.
 
Milestone Watch
Megan Smith and Mikalah Mulrain are on pace to join some exclusive clubs this season. Smith is close to eclipsing 1,000 career points, while Mulrain is inching closer to 500 rebounds. Below is a look at how close they are to reaching these marks:
 
Smith: 969 points, 31 away from 1,000
Mulrain: 484 rebounds, 16 away from 500
 
Insurmountable Lead
Robert Morris has never lost a game in which it has held the lead at the end of the second half. The Colonials were 22-0 in such situations during the 2016-17 campaign and 6-0 this season. All-time, RMU is 579-0 when leading at the final whistle.

Tweet #ColonialPride