Youngstown, Ohio – The Robert Morris University women's basketball team fought back from a six-point deficit in the fourth quarter to force overtime in its season opener, but Youngstown State rallied to take control of the extra frame, and the Colonials fell to the Penguins, 69-59, this evening from the Beeghly Center.
Robert Morris (0-1, 0-0 NEC) only led on five occasions, its largest advantage being by just two points. The Colonials did most of their damage offensively from beyond the arc, sinking 41.7 percent (10-24) of their attempts, but made just five free throws to Youngstown State's (1-0, 0-0 HL) 18.
"It stings, it's a tough loss," said head coach Charlie Buscaglia. "It was a tough battle for 40 minutes. I give credit to Youngstown State and that shot to tie the game. I told the players, 'when you go into the arena, this is very possible – tight games, overtime games. You have to want it and be ready.' It was a hard fought loss."
Trailing 50-44 with 5:18 remaining in regulation, Megan Callahan hit a layup in the paint to pull the visitors within four before the media timeout. The Penguins split a pair of free throws after the break, followed by defensive stops on both ends to keep it a five-point game with 3:22 on the clock.
RMU came back with a Honoka Ikematsu trifecta to make it 51-49, then Chelsea Olson hit the back end of two free throws. After some empty possessions, Nneka Ezeigbo found a bucket with a nifty move to her right hand, forcing a YSU timeout with 53.9 seconds left and the score 52-51.
Isabella Posset quickly snuffed out whatever the play call was in the huddle, stealing the ball from McKenah Peters at halfcourt and finishing with a layup to give the Colonials the lead. Sarah Cash pulled down an offensive board on the other end and shifted the score in favor of the hosts, but RMU didn't fret as Posset found Ikematsu on the wing for a trey to make it 56-54 to RMU with nine seconds remaining.
The Colonials seemed to get their stop on the defensive end, but after clogging up the paint, Cash found Melinda Trimmer for a game-tying baseline jumper with 1.3 on the clock.
"I'm very proud of us continuing to fight," said Buscaglia. "Even though (Isabella Posset's) shot wasn't going in today, she was getting after it on the defensive end with a lot of tips and steals. She earned that steal, that opportunity to get in there and have a great moment down the stretch."
In overtime, YSU scored the first seven points to swing the momentum back in its favor and ultimately seal up a victory.
Ikematsu led RMU with 15 points on 5-of-9 from deep in 24 minutes off the bench. Pluviose nearly posted a double-double in her first start since Jan. 30, 2017, tallying nine points and eight rebounds.
"Honoka (Ikematsu) hit some big shots," added Buscaglia. "She went on a nice run there. We got her going a little bit and changed some things offensively, and that was great to see her do that. She's taking on a little bit of a different role this year by coming off the bench today, and she handled it really well."
Posset dished out a game-high eight assists and collected three steals in 27 minutes. The eight helpers are the most for a Colonial in a season opener since Nov. 12, 2011 when Briannica Tye tallied nine against Coppin State.
Cash led all scorers with 16 points. Olson posted a 13-point, 14-rebound double-double for the Penguins.
Robert Morris returns home for a pair of games at the North Athletic Complex, beginning Sunday, Nov. 11 at noon against La Salle.
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