Staten Island, N.Y. – The
Robert Morris University men's basketball team concluded a three-game road trip Saturday with a 62-49 loss to Wagner at the Spiro Sports Center.
The Colonials shot a season-low 27.3 percent (18-for-66) from the field, including 10 percent (2-for-20) from beyond the arc. In the second half RMU failed to convert a three-pointer, going 0-for-11 from deep.
Wagner (13-6, 6-2 NEC) used an 8-2 run to turn a 14-13 deficit into a 21-16 advantage with 5:03 to go before halftime. Sophomore guard
Dachon Burke gave the Colonials the lead with a jumper, but Elijah Davis pushed the Seahawks back in front with a pair of free throws. JoJo Cooper and AJ Sumbry each followed with layups for Wagner.
The Colonials (12-9, 6-2 NEC) were able to trim their deficit to 23-21 thanks to four consecutive points from freshman guard
Leondre Washington and a three-pointer from freshman forward
Charles Bain, but the Seahawks scored the next seven points of the contest to open up a 30-23 advantage en route to a 32-25 lead at halftime.
Neither team could get much going offensively early in the second half before Wagner was able to grab its first double-digit advantage, 35-25, after a three-point play by Romone Saunders. He would follow with a three-pointer to give the Seahawks a 38-25 lead with 15:29 to go.
The Colonials began to chip away, closing to within 40-34 with a 9-2 run. Freshman forward
Koby Thomas converted a three-point play, followed by another from Washington to make it a two possession game with 13:13 remaining.
RMU had a chance to close its deficit further, but the Colonials missed three shots and suffered a turnover. Francis answered with a triple to increase Wagner's edge to 43-34. The Seahawks grabbed their largest lead, 56-38, with 5:40 to go after another three-pointer from Francis.
Robert Morris outrebounded Wagner, 48-39, and also posted the advantage in turnovers, forcing the Seahawks into 18 miscues compared to 15, but the Colonials were unable to get their offense going in the second half.
Thomas paced the Colonials, who held an 18-4 advantage in offensive caroms, with his third career double-double, finishing with 16 points and tying a career high with 12 rebounds. He shot 5-for-10 from the field and 6-for-7 at the free-throw line. Burke added 12 points, nine rebounds, two assists and three steals, while Washington supplied 11 points and three assists off the bench.
Francis took home game-high honors with 19 points for Wagner, while Cooper and Saunders each scored 11 for the Seahawks.
Robert Morris returns home for a four-game homestand at PPG Paints Arena, beginning Friday, Jan. 26, with a 7:00 p.m. tip against Sacred Heart.
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