New Britain, Conn. – The
Robert Morris University men's basketball concluded a four-game road trip Monday with a 70-59 victory over Central Connecticut at Detrick Gymnasium. In posting a 3-1 record during their four-game road swing, the Colonials improved to 10-9 overall in 2018-19 and 5-1 in the Northeast Conference.
MOMENTS THAT MATTERED
Michael Underwood connected for his fourth three-pointer for the Blue Devils with 3:03 left in the first half to trim CCSU's deficit to 30-26, but the Colonials closed the first half on an 8-2 spurt to grab a 36-28 advantage at halftime. Senior guard
Matty McConnell hit a three-pointer, while senior guard
Josh Williams connected from deep on feed from McConnell as time expired to give RMU an eight-point lead at the break.
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"They're all good wins, they're all big wins," head coach
Andrew Toole. "I thought we started the game with great defensive intensity, and on offense we got some good shots that we just didn't make. Malik got us going a little bit, but our defense really helped us in the first half, holding them to 28 points."
BALANCE
Four different Colonials scored in double figures in the win, led by
Josh Williams, who finished with 15 points while also adding three assists and a steal. Senior forward
Malik Petteway scored 10 of his 11 points in the first half, tied for game-high honors in rebounds (9) and recorded three assists, two blocks and two steals.
MOMENTS THAT MATTERED
Jamir Coleman, who finished with a career-high 27 points for Central Connecticut, trimmed the deficit for the Blue Devils to 62-55 with 2:12 remaining after a pair of free throws. On RMU's next possession, sophomore
Charles Bain helped seal the victory by hitting a three-pointer to push the lead back to double digits, 65-55.
BALANCE II
Sophomore forward
Charles Bain scored 12 of his 13 points in the second half and grabbed four caroms, while senior guard
Matty McConnell contributed 12 points, seven boards, an assist and two steals. Robert Morris improved to 21-7 (.750) over the last two seasons when McConnell scores in double figures after his performance against the Blue Devils.
MOVING YOUR FEET
Each of CCSU's first five possessions of the contest ended in a turnover, and on the contest the Blue Devils finished with 18 miscues. Central Connecticut entered the contest with the top turnover margin (+4.5) in the Northeast Conference against league foes but finished with eight more turnovers (18-10) than Robert Morris.
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"Turning people over isn't something we always talk about as coaches," Toole said. "We talk about being in the right spot, defending the right way and making it difficult for your opponent to score. We were able to get some turnovers and limit some of their ability to score in the first half. We definitely disrupted their offense."
UP NEXT
RMU returns home to the North Athletic Complex to host its next three games. The Colonials welcome Sacred Heart Thursday, Jan. 24, for a 7:00 p.m. tip to open the homestand.
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