Moon Township, Pa. – The Robert Morris women's basketball team's offense powers through Waynesburg, winning 95-39. RMU now owns a 3-0 record in non-conference play in the 2022-23 season.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
To start the night, RMU went on a 7-0 run. Phoenix Gedeon scored in the paint off a turnover, was fouled, and completed the and one. Colonials caused another turnover on the next Yellow Jackets possession and Gedeon once again completed a layup. Simone Morris was next on the scoresheet to make it 7-0. With the score at 11-4 in favor of RMU, the home side went on another run scoring nine points in a row. Paris Kirk subbed in scoring a basket, Gedeon followed with another layup in the paint, Kirk returned down the floor scoring a two pointer, and Mastral finished off the run with a jump shot. The Colonials after the first quarter held a comfortable 23-6 lead.
 
RMU continued their offensive dominance, scoring early and often in the second. Louella Allana provided the first bucket before Rebecca Dwomoh was fouled and scored her two free throws. In the lead 40-12, Mackenzie Amalia was fouled driving the hoop. Scoring the next two foul shots, she officially reached 200 career points as a Colonial. During this scoring spree, RMU gathered a 10-0 run. Paris Kirk scored the last six points of the half for her team, and RMU headed to the locker room up 51-14. By the end of 20 minutes, Phoenix Gedeon produced the teams first double-double of the season scoring ten points and ten caroms.
 
The Colonials jumped out to a 63-21 advantage five minutes into the third quarter and proceeded to finish the quarter with a 14-0 run. Kirk swished a trey, followed by a layup from Danielle Vuletich. Allana assisted that play, made a steal in Waynesburg's next drive and took it herself on the fast break, tossing in a layup. Vuletich and Johnson both added layups and Kirk paced three more points, finishing the quarter ahead 77-21.
 
16 seconds into the fourth quarter, RMU would see their largest lead of the game up 58 points, 79-21. With three minutes remaining in the game, the Colonials reached 90 points for the first time since New Years Eve in 2017 against Sacred Heart University, winning that game 91-57. Danielle Vuletich led the way for the Colonials in the final period, pacing six points and three rebounds. Freshman Natalie Johnson scored the last basket of the game, and the Colonials won 95-39.
 
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
Leading the team in points tonight was freshman Paris Kirk with 19. The Canadian added five rebounds and made a trey. "It's nice to see how our hard work has paid off," said Kirk. "We've been able to execute certain things like causing turnovers. We have very good chemistry and it's exciting to see." Phoenix Gedeon posted a double-double earning 18 points and 12 rebounds and reaching over 150 points in her career. Her five steals were the most out of all Horizon League players so far this season, as her defense was on full force throughout the night. Sophomore Danielle Vuletich scored a career high 15 points. She was perfect at the free throw line, 3-for-3. Simone Morris also landed in double point territory as she put up 12 points. Point guards Mackenzie Amalia and Louella Allana provided three assists to their teammates each.
 
RMU caused 52 turnovers, scored 60 points in the paint and their bench provided 50 points. "The younger ones are showing us great effort in practice" said head coach Charlie Buscaglia. "I was very proud of how they performed out there for an extended period of time. We were ripping rebounds and going to the paint strong." Overall, RMU shot 47.1% from the field and scored 27 free throws on the night.
 
ACROSS THE HORIZON
RMU is one of four teams undefeated in the Horizon League so far this season. Their three wins are the most out of the four teams. Against their three non-conference opponents (Saint Francis, George Mason, Waynesburg) they're averaging 65.7 points per game and only allowing an average of 42.3 points per game. This margin of 23.3 points is the largest currently in the conference. Their 95 points against Waynesburg is the second highest in a game throughout the Horizon.
 
Gedeon's 17.3 points per game average is fourth best. Amalia is also ranked fourth best in assists per game, averaging four per night. Her six assists against Saint Francis (11/7) is the most in one game.
 
DEFENSE WINS BIG GAMES
Through three games, the Colonials have only given up nine points from behind the arc. Opposing teams are shooting just .073% for three. They've caused 89 turnovers and own 38 steals off those turnovers. RMU totaled 67 defensive rebounds this season. Allowing only 19 points in the second quarter, the Colonials are finishing the first half strong in all three games.
 
QUOTABLE'S
"Larry Bird used to have maintenance open up the Boston Garden stadium so he could take shots and get out of his slumps. That's how I feel we should be. I'm not one to say people shouldn't take their shots if they've been missing open looks. I want them to have that confidence so when you're somebody on the team that is expected to take those shots in big games, I want them to know I have the confidence in them." – Head Coach Charlie Buscaglia
 
On what makes this team special: "We're special because we all have heart and want to win. We're underdogs because we're so young compared to other teams. That just makes us want to work harder. We all get along very well on and off the court." – Freshman Forward Paris Kirk
 
On preparing for games: "Everybody works very hard in practice every day. The environment doesn't change too much from practice to the game, so it makes it an easier transition." – Freshman Forward Paris Kirk
 
NEXT UP
The Colonials will finish up their four-game non-conference home stand on Monday vs. Wheeling (11/14). RMU will then be on a nine-day break before heading out to Akron, Ohio to face the Zips (11/23).

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