PITTSBURGH, Pa. – The Robert Morris women's basketball team salvaged a weekend split Sunday at the UPMC Events Center, taking down the visiting UIC Flames by a final score of 50-44. The win moves the Colonials to 7-8 overall and 5-5 in Horizon League play.
MOMENTS THAT MATTERED
The Flames came out hot to start the game, building an 11-5 lead over the first six minutes of play, however the Colonials came back to bring the game within two. On their 6-0 unanswered run,
Sol Castro,
Nina Augustin and
Alejandra Mastral all knocked down big field goals to help spark the comeback effort. The Colonials remained in close competition throughout the second and third quarters, getting within three or less points of the lead on four separate occasions before halftime before finally breaking through. After trailing 26-25 early in the third quarter, the Colonials came alive with an 11-0 run, led by senior
Natalie Villaflor with five to give Robert Morris a 36-26 lead. The Flames would not go away quietly, however, going on a 9-3 run of their own in the late stages of the fourth quarter to keep the pressure up on RMU. Pulling within two in the final moments of the game, Robert Morris was able to secure the game with free-throw chances from
Nina Augustin, who led the team with nine points, to earn a 50-44 victory.
SEASON HIGHS
Ashya Klopfenstein was a force for the Colonials on both ends of the court, posting eight points, eight rebounds and a season high five steals. Sophomore
Mackenzie Amalia also had a stand-out game for RMU shooting with eight points on the day, going 2-5 from three.
Sol Castro led the Colonials on the boards, setting the tone with a season-high 12 on the day.
FIRST TIME FOR EVERYTHING
Sunday's win over the Flames was the first ever meeting between UIC and Robert Morris. The Colonials are now 3-1 this season against first-time opponents with wins against UIC, Canisius and Detroit Mercy and a loss to Green Bay.
NEXT UP
RMU closes out its three-game home stand next Thursday, January 20 when the Youngstown State Penguins roll into UPMC Events Center at 7:00 p.m.
