Moon Township, Pa. – The
Robert Morris University men's basketball team concluded play in the 2019 Men Against Breast Cancer (MABC) Invitational Saturday with a 70-56 loss to Toledo at Savage Arena in Toledo, Ohio.
MOMENTS THAT MATTERED
Forward
Charles Bain canned a jumper with 12:04 left in the first half to tie the contest, 15-15, but neither team scored for the next two and-a-half minutes. The Rockets (2-1) snapped the drought, as Keshaun Saunders connected from beyond the arc. The triple bolstered a 24-5 run that helped Toledo grab a 39-20 advantage. Saunders capped the surge with another three-pointer. On the afternoon the Rockets converted 45 percent (9-for-20) of their attempts from deep.
QUOTABLE
"We're explaining to our guys that every possession in a Division I basketball game is so critical," Pat Gallagher Head Coach
Andrew Toole said. "As the rotation went through, there was too much of a letdown. As soon as there was a crack, Toledo took advantage. That's a team that can shoot the ball at an extremely high level. We continued to fight, and that's a sign of growth. You have to be able to continue to fight. That's going to help us get over the hump."
CHARGING BACK
RMU got three-pointers from
Sayveon McEwen and
Jon Williams in the last 44 seconds of the first half to settle the score at halftime, 39-28. Forward
Yannis Mendy opened the scoring in the second half to help the Colonials cut their deficit to single digits but could get no closer. Williams led Robert Morris with 11 points and also registered four rebounds and a steal, while guard
Dante Treacy chipped in 10 points and two assists.
DOUBLE-DOUBLE
Forward
AJ Bramah recorded his second career double-double against the Rockets for Robert Morris (1-4), finishing with 10 points and grabbing a career-high 16 rebounds. The 16 caroms for Bramah ties an RMU single-game school record for rebounds in a road game. Former forward Earl Cureton (1976-77) grabbed 16 rebounds in a 66-64 overtime loss @ Howard (12/14/76) in RMU's seventh NCAA Division I contest in program history. Bramah shot 4-for-8 from the field, dished out three assists and also recorded four steals against Toledo.
QUOTABLE
"AJ seemed to be everywhere, and he played with great energy," Toole said. "We need that guy constantly working and constantly crashing the glass. We've seen what kind of player AJ can be when he's locked in. Certainly a great game from him today."
UP NEXT
Robert Morris continues a four-game swing away from home Thursday, Nov. 21, with an 8:00 p.m. tip against UIC in Chicago, Ill. The Colonials will conclude the trip Saturday, Nov. 23, with a 2:00 p.m. tip at Marquette.
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