DETROIT, Mich. - A career-high 23 points from senior Esther Castedo helped propel the Robert Morris women's basketball team to its first win of the year on Opening Night across the Horizon League, as the Colonials took down the Detroit Mercy Titans 55-46 at Calihan Hall. The win moves RMU to 1-2 overall and 1-0 in HL play.
MOMENTS THAT MATTERED
Though the Colonials shot just 29.6% from the field in the opening half of action Thursday night, a solid effort on the offensive glass for RMU allowed the Colonials to extend possessions against the Titans and convert on some second-chance opportunities. Alejandra Mastral's first board of the day six minutes in resulted in the freshman drawing a foul before converting a pair of free throws to knot things up at 6-6, the last time Detroit Mercy would lead on the evening. A few possessions later, Sol Castro outworked a DM defender for a loose ball following a missed layup from Simone Morris before kicking it out to Mackenzie Amalia, who knocked down a three to double the Colonial lead to 12-6.
CHECKING IN
RMU freshman Danielle Vuletich made her Colonials debut Thursday night against the Titans, grabbing one rebound in five minutes of action in Detroit. Vuletich joins fellow freshman Simone Morris, Phoenix Gedeon, Alejandra Mastral and Jazmyne DeShields who made their NCAA debuts last week against St. Bonaventure.
MOMENTS THAT MATTERED
Eight of Castedo's 23 points came in a pivotal third quarter for Robert Morris, including a pair of triples late as RMU kept its foot on the gas out of the gate to start the second half. With the Colonials leading by seven with under a minute to play in the third, back-to-back triples from Castedo 36 seconds apart helped RMU push its lead to 42-33 at the end of the third frame. She poured in eight more points in the fourth to give her 16 over the final half of action including a perfect 2-2 from the free throw line. The senior topped off her all-around effort with three boards, two assists and three steals in 32 minutes of action.
THREE'S COMPANY
RMU's ability to find open looks from beyond the arc, coupled with a willingness to pull the trigger, played a major role in the Colonials earning their first Horizon League win of the season Thursday. Despite shooting just 33.3% (8-24) as a team from range, timely shots from Castedo (3-5) coupled with some solid work to limit the Titan's opportunities for threes at the other proved to be the difference maker. Three threes from Castedo as well as a pair from both Nina Augustin and Alejandra Mastral allowed RMU to spread the floor on offense, while at the same time holding the Titans to just 2-11 (18.2%) at the other end from deep on the evening.
UP NEXT
RMU continues it's road trip through Michigan Saturday when they take on the Oakland Golden Grizzlies at 2:00 PM Saturday on ESPN+.
