GAME 12
Robert Morris Colonials (7-4, 0-0 NEC) @ Fairleigh Dickinson Knights (8-3, 0-0 NEC)
Friday, December 29, 2017 // 5:00 p.m. // Hackensack, N.J. – Rothman Center
Live Video: NEC Front Row // Live Stats: FDUKnights.com

The Capsule
Robert Morris begins its reign as defending Northeast Conference (NEC) champion on Friday, Dec. 29 as the Colonials open league play at Fairleigh Dickinson. RMU and FDU posted the NEC's two best non-conference records, as they sit at 7-4 and 8-3, respectively. This is the second consecutive season that the Colonials have opened up the NEC slate on the road, and the third straight year that the Knights hosted their league opener.

NOTES: Robert Morris @ Fairleigh Dickinson (12.29.17)

The Opponent
Fairleigh Dickinson posted a NEC-best 8-3 record in non-conference play after being picked to finish seventh in the league according to the preseason coaches' poll. The Knights have taken care of business at home thus far, owning a 6-1 mark at Rothman Center with a 56-51 loss to Stony Brook being the lone blemish. FDU features three players in double-figures scoring, led by junior guard Madelynn Comly and her 11.9 points per game. Senior forward Amina Markovic, the reigning NEC Player of the Week, is averaging 11.4 points and 5.7 rebounds per contest, while sophomore post Lauren Francillon has contributed 10.2 points and a team-high 7.0 caroms per game off the bench.

The Series
Overall: 38-26 | Home: 24-9 | Away: 14-16 | Neutral: 0-1 | Streak: W4
Last Game: Robert Morris 68, Fairleigh Dickinson 35 (3.5.17 – NEC Quarterfinals)
 
Fairleigh Dickinson is the second most common opponent for Robert Morris behind Saint Francis U (81). The Colonials are 38-26 all-time against the Knights and have won the previous four meetings, including a three-game sweep last season between the regular season and NEC Quarterfinals. RMU's victory at FDU last year was a nail-biter, as the Colonials held on to defeat the Knights, 66-64, behind a 22-point afternoon by Rebeca Navarro. Navarro sank six of the team's 12 three-pointers, as RMU converted 66.7% (12-18) of its attempts from distance.
 
Coach B Weekly
In the ninth episode of Coach B Weekly, head coach Charlie Buscaglia discusses the following: the learning experiences from RMU's 46-31 loss to Kent State, how to recharge after a 10-day break in between games, what goes into preparing a team for the conference opener, and a preview of Fairleigh Dickinson.

(link to come)
 
Last Time Out
Robert Morris' five-game winning streak ended in its non-conference finale on Dec. 19 as the Colonials fell to a strong Kent State side, 46-31. RMU forced the Golden Flashes into 25 turnovers, which included a game-high five steals from Jocelynne Jones, but couldn't find a groove on the offensive end. Jordan Korinek led all scorers with 17 points, despite going 4-of-12 from the field.
 
Off on the Right Foot
The Colonials are 19-13 all-time in NEC openers and own a 12-2 mark since 2003-04. RMU won 12 consecutive conference debuts from 2004-05 to 2015-16 and posted a streak of four games from 1985-86 to 1988-89. 15 of these games have been on the road, where the Colonials are 7-8 away from Moon Township.
 
Smith Starting Well
Megan Smith has fared well in conference openers during her career, tallying double-digit points in each of the previous three. The senior forward is averaging 14.0 points and 5.0 rebounds in those contests, which includes a 20-point effort last season at Sacred Heart.
 
Milestone Watch
The non-conference slate featured a trio of milestones being met for the Colonials. Jocelynne Jones eclipsed 100 career steals against Youngstown State, Megan Smith made her 100th career start against Monmouth, and Mikalah Mulrain joined the 500 rebound club against Kent State. Smith is on the verge of meeting another milestone as she could become the 23rd player to score 1,000 career points, needing just 20 more to reach that mark.
 
The Bench Brings It
RMU's bench has provided no drop-off to the starting five this season, as the reserves are averaging 22.0 points per game and an average of 7.6 points more than the opponents' reserves. The Colonials are 7-1 when their bench outscores the opposing one and are 24-4 since 2016-17 when that happens.
 
Out-of-League Success
The Colonials' victory over Clarion was their seventh of the season, tying the school record for out-of-league wins with seven, originally set in 1986-87. The win against the Golden Eagles also gave the Colonials a five-game winning streak - which is 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 57.5, the Colonials are currently allowing an average of 54.6 points per contest, which ranks tops in the NEC and 19th nationally. RMU also paces the conference in steals per game (11.3), slotting in at 31st nationally.
 
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 7-0 this season. All-time, RMU is 580-0 when leading at the final whistle.

Tweet #ColonialPride