Moon Township, Pa. – The Robert Morris University women's basketball team saw its five-game winning streak snapped this afternoon as the Colonials were topped by Kent State, 46-31, in both teams' non-conference finale from the North Athletic Complex.
Three days after tying the school record for out-of-league wins in a season, Robert Morris (7-4, 0-0 NEC) could not establish a new standard despite turning Kent State (7-5, 0-0 MAC) over 25 times. The Colonials held a plus-12 advantage in turnover margin, but struggled from the field offensively, converting just 25 percent (13-52 FG) of their shot attempts.
"It was a really tough, hard-fought game," said head coach Charlie Buscaglia. "I have to give Kent State a lot of credit, they had a week to prepare for us and defended us well. (Kent State) played a good schedule and it shows – they outrebounded Michigan for a reason. They're physical and tough. We have to move forward so when this kind of game comes up again, we'll be more mentally tough."
After a back-and-forth first quarter, a banked jumper by Nneka Ezeigbo knotted things up at 12 early in the second stanza. RMU then took the lead with a Jocelynne Jones bucket, but a McKenna Stephens trifecta on the other end pushed the Golden Flashes ahead. Nina Augustin answered with a scoop layup on the next possession, before Stephens split a pair of free throws to make it 16-16.
Kent State closed the frame on a 5-2 run to carry a 21-18 lead into the break. A layup by Jordan Korinek to begin the third made it a five-point gap, but the Colonials quickly pulled back within one after baskets by Jones and Mikalah Mulrain. After four Korinek free throws, Honoka Ikematsu buried a long jumper to make it a one-possession contest at 27-24, but that would be as close as the hosts would get it after the Golden Flashes concluded the quarter on a 7-2 stretch.
"At the end of the game we were picking up our speed a little bit more, but had trouble knocking our shots down," said Buscaglia. "We just have to learn from this and get better at the things opponents throw at us."
Jones led RMU with nine points, five steals, and three assists. The five steals tie a career-high, first set earlier this season on Nov. 16 against Bowling Green.
"Jocelynne (Jones) is doing a good job at being a senior leader out there," said Buscaglia. "I've really enjoyed watching her grow and how she has developed as a person. She's been much more of a teammate and more tougher. She's been bringing it."
Mulrain pulled down a team-high seven rebounds and eclipsed the 500-career carom marker in the first quarter, becoming just the 22nd player in program history to accomplish that feat.
Korinek led all scorers with 17 points, while Ali Poole added 11 for the visitors.
Robert Morris will take a 10-day holiday break before opening Northeast Conference (NEC) action on Friday, Dec. 29 at Fairleigh Dickinson.
