Hackensack, N.J. – A sharp-shooting performance by the Robert Morris University women's basketball team helped lift the Colonials to a 77-68 victory at Fairleigh Dickinson this evening in both teams' Northeast Conference (NEC) opener.
Robert Morris (8-4, 1-0 NEC) made half of its 54 shots from the field and sank 10-of-16 (62.5%) of its three-point attempts. The Colonials also held Fairleigh Dickinson (8-4, 0-1 NEC) to 32.7 percent shooting (16-49) and forced 18 turnovers defensively.
"There were moments in the game where we did a good job at being accountable, worked hard, and executed the game plan," said head coach Charlie Buscaglia. "There were also moments where we went in the complete other direction. It wasn't a typical Robert Morris game in terms of the way we played. We have to be better with our consistency – we were too high and low today."
Leading the charge offensively for the visitors was Honoka Ikematsu, who scored a career-high 23 points to lead all players. Similar to Rebeca Navarro's 22-point effort at FDU last season, Ikematsu did the majority of her damage from distance, converting 6-of-7 three-point attempts. The 23 points are the most for a freshman since Feb. 21, 2015, when Megan Smith tallied 23 at Bryant. Ikematsu's point total also is the highest for a Colonial in the team's NEC opener since Jan. 4, 2014, when Artemis Spanou scored 25 at Central Connecticut.
"Honoka (Ikematsu) did a great job at hitting shots today," said Buscaglia. "She made her fair share of freshman mistakes here and there, but it was a great shooting performance by her. She shot the ball with confidence … hopefully that's a brick for her in the foundation."
Along with Ikematsu, RMU had four other players in double-figures scoring. Smith tallied nine of her 15 points in the fourth quarter and now sits just five away from becoming the 23rd player in program history to tally 1,000 in a career. Megan Callahan added 11 on 4-of-6 shooting, while Nneka Ezeigbo and Jocelynne Jones each poured in 10 points. Ezeigbo pulled down 10 rebounds to register her fourth career double-double and third this season.
Trailing 37-36 with 8:23 left in the third quarter, the Colonials responded with a 16-0 run to grab control of the game. Mikalah Mulrain started it off with a three-point play, followed by a Callahan baseline jumper. The freshman found Smith for a layup on the next possession, then canned a trifecta from the wing off an Ikematsu pass. Ikematsu finished it off with a three-pointer of her own, making it a 52-37 game with 4:51 showing on the clock.
RMU had an assist on 19 of its 27 field goals. Callahan and Jones each eclipsed career-bests in helpers with six and five, respectively, while Smith added three from the high post.
Kamrin Weimer led the Knights with 18 points. Amina Markovic posted a 16-point, 10-rebound double-double for the hosts. FDU's leading scorer heading into this evening, Madelynn Comly, was held to just three points in 31 minutes.
The Colonials move to 20-13 all-time in NEC openers and 13-2 since the 2003-04 season.
Robert Morris closes out the calendar year on Sunday, Dec. 31 when it plays Sacred Heart in the Nutmeg State at noon.
