Olean, N.Y. - The Robert Morris University women's basketball team opened the 2021-22 campaign Wednesday with a 61-53 defeat at St. Bonaventure. With the loss, the Colonials fall to 18-33 (.360) all-time in season openers.
MOMENTS THAT MATTERED
After two early free throws from the Bonnies, the Colonials managed to keep St. Bonaventure at arms' length for most of the first half. Back-to-back threes from Jazmyne DeShields and Natalie Villaflor to start the second quarter pushed RMU's lead to as much as six before a late Bonnies triple and free throw from Nikki Oppenheimer tied things up at the half. Trailing 45-44 with under six to play in regulation, a drive and layup from Ene Adams gave St. Bonaventure a one-point lead before foul trouble for the Colonials sent SB to the line seven times over the final five minutes where they went 11-14 from the stripe to ice the game away.
BALANCED ATTACK
All ten Colonials who saw the floor Wednesday against St. Bonaventure recorded at least two points, led by twelve from sophomore forward Sol Castro. Castro was 3-6 from the field, while Simone Morris knocked down a pair of triples in just eleven minutes of action, one of seven Colonials to hit from beyond the arc on the day.
HELPING HAND
Fifth-year guard Nina Augustin moved into 12th-place on the RMU All-Time career assists leaderboard with four Tuesday against the Bonnies. Currently at 246 career assists in her Colonials career, the Helsinki native needs 32 more to crack the top-ten all-time, and has a shot to become the eighth player in school history to eclipse 300.
NEW TO RMU
Four Colonials made their NCAA debuts Wednesday in Olean as Simone Morris, Phoenix Gedeon, Alejandra Mastral and Jazmyne DeShields each suited up for Robert Morris for the very first time. Morris earned her first career start and finished with six points in 11 minutes to lead rookies in scoring while Gedeon tied for the team lead in boards with four.
UP NEXT
RMU kicks off its 2021 home slate this Saturday, November 13 when they host the Akron Zips at 3:00 PM at the UPMC Event Center and on ESPN+.
