PITTSBURGH, Pa. – The Robert Morris women's basketball team closed out 2021 with a win Thursday night at UPMC Events Center, taking down the visiting Cleveland State Vikings 63-55 to hand them their first conference loss of the season. The win moves RMU to 4-6 (2-3 HL) on the season.

MOMENTS THAT MATTERED

The Colonials took a seven point lead into the locker rooms at the half, up 33-26 following 20 minutes of play and at points led by as many as nine through the first two quarters.  An aggressive Colonials press kept the Vikings from establishing a consistent rhythm offensively, forcing CSU into ten first half turnovers and holding them to 30% shooting.  While RMU shot just 45% from the field in the half, they managed to convert the ten Vikings turnovers into nine points while limiting CSU to just two points from turnovers.  Timely threes from Alejandra Mastral and Esther Castedo over the final five minutes helped RMU keep Cleveland State at arms' length after one half of action. 

CRUNCH TIME

The Colonials managed to sustain their momentum in the third quarter following the strong finish to end the first half, out-scoring a CSU 12-9 in the third.  For a Vikings squad that was out-scoring opponents 160-97 in the third entering Thursday's game, RMU's effort to open up the second half was pivotal in securing the win.  More timely threes, from Castedo and Mastral, helped the Colonials stymie the Vikings at a crucial point in the game as CSU went just 20% from the field. Mastral finished with a career high 12 points and four three-pointers. 

HIGH NOTE

With the victory, Robert Morris closes out the 2021 calendar year with a win for the first time since a 91-57 win at Sacred Heart on New Years Eve 2017.  The win also marked RMU's first victory over Cleveland State since the Colonials became members of the Horizon League

UP NEXT

The Colonials are back home in two days when they ring in the New Year with a home clash against Purdue Fort Wayne on Saturday, January 1 at 1:00 p.m.