New Britain, Conn. – The Robert Morris University women's basketball team moved to 15-1 since 2004-05 in Northeast Conference (NEC) openers with a comfortable 86-56 victory at Central Connecticut this evening from William H. Detrick Gymnasium.
Robert Morris (6-6, 1-0 NEC) improved to 22-13 all-time in ECAC Metro / NEC lidlifters, thanks to a season-high 86 points on 50.0 percent (32-64) shooting. The Colonials forced 27 turnovers from Central Connecticut (1-11, 0-1 NEC) and picked up their fourth win of 30 or more points in the series, and first since Jan. 28, 2008, an 89-59 triumph in Moon Township.
RMU dominated in the paint, receiving a combined 37 points and 15 rebounds from its two centers. Nneka Ezeigbo scored a season-high 24 points on 10-of-12 shooting and added six rebounds and a career-best six steals, while Irekpitan Ozzy-Momodu provided 13 points, nine rebounds, and three steals in 15 minutes off the bench. Isabella Posset was also in double-figures scoring for the Colonials with 11 points.
"Central Connecticut came out with a lot of energy to open up the game," said head coach Charlie Buscaglia. "We needed to get more accountable on defense. We did a great job at getting better as the game went on and stayed relentless through tough moments and missed shots. It was great to see the bench step up as well and be able to come into the game and contribute. We did such a great job at bouncing back after a tough loss against James Madison."
The visitors took control in the first quarter, using an 18-4 run to go ahead 23-11. Ezeigbo scored 10 of her 24 points over that stretch, including a personal 7-0 run that turned a five-point game into a 12-point one.
CCSU pulled within four early in the second frame, scoring eight unanswered points to make it 23-19. The Blue Devils kept within two possessions until the 3:11 mark of the half, when two Ozzy-Momodu layups, a Honoka Ikematsu jumper, and five Laura Carrasco points gave RMU a 43-28 advantage into the break.
The Colonials gradually added to their lead, making it a 20-point edge with an Ezeigbo bucket to start the fourth quarter. Posset and the senior center traded nine points to push the gap to 75-49, then an Ozzy-Momodu layup and two Dahomée Forgues free throws moved the difference to 30. The lead reached a game-high 32 points multiple times, the last coming with 1:58 remaining after two Megan Callahan foul shots.
"Both Nneka (Ezeigbo) and (Irekpitan Ozzy-Momodu) did a great job today at being strong," added Buscaglia of his center duo. "Whether there was contact or no contact, they did a great job at going up and finishing, and not concerning themselves with a foul call that may have been missed. The pace we played at with both forwards and guards meant a lot to our success inside. We had a great balance with the inside and outside game."
This is the 55th win of 30 or more points in program history. It is also the largest margin of victory in an NEC opener since Dec. 2, 2010, when RMU doubled up St. Francis Brooklyn, 72-36.
The Colonials have forced 20 or more turnovers in eight games this season.
This is the eighth 20-point performance of Ezeigbo's career and third this season, matching her 2018-19 total.
Robert Morris concludes its five-game road trip on Saturday, Jan. 4 at 1:00 p.m. against Merrimack. The Colonials open the home portion of their NEC schedule on Saturday, Jan. 11 at 4:00 p.m. when they host Wagner.
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