Moon Township, Pa. – The Robert Morris women's basketball team's offense shines once again against Wheeling, winning 87-48. RMU now owns a 4-0 record overall, including at home, in non-conference play to begin the 2022-23 season.
HOW IT HAPPENED
The Colonials started the night on a 7-0 run, just as they did Saturday night vs. Waynesburg (11/12). Three different Colonials got on the board early as
Simone Morris and
Alejandra Mastral scored a bucket, and
Rebecca Dwomoh swished a trey. Wheeling immediately called a timeout after going down early. With three minutes remaining, RMU jumped out to a 15-point lead thanks to
Danielle Vuletich drawing a foul and making both free throws. At a 21-7 lead, RMU carried out the momentum to the end of the quarter, ahead 23-10.
The second period remained dominant for RMU. The Colonials jumped out to a 30-16 lead before the media timeout was called at the halfway point. From then on it was all BobbyMo on the scoresheet to end the half. Beginning the 13-0 run was
Simone Morris scoring two free throws, followed by
Mackenzie Amalia scoring one free throw herself. After missing three shots, Wheeling turned the ball over from Dwomoh's interception. Amalia swished a three from distance to take a 36-16 lead. "I've been struggling from three" said Amalia, "but I told myself I need to keep shooting the ball. I know being in the starting lineup now it's a new role for me, so I know I need to come in with great energy."
Phoenix Gedeon added a free throw on the scoreboard next. On the next offensive drive, Amalia caused a turnover and found Vuletich in the paint for the fast break layup. Vuletich was fouled and finished the and-one. With 40 seconds remaining,
Paris Kirk went 1-for-2 at the foul line, and Amalia scored a driving layup to end the half, 43-16 RMU.
The Colonials jumped out to a 49-24 lead at the media timeout. Reaching over 60 points for the second consecutive game, RMU kept the advantage after 30 minutes of play, 64-31. Two freshmen stepped up in the second quarter as Candela Rabadan Solis and
Natalie Johnson both produced six points. RMU shot 50% from the field in quarter three, and went 3-for-5 from behind the arc. The bench totaled 15 points.
Beginning the fourth quarter, RMU kept the pressure on scoring eight points in a row.
Phoenix Gedeon scored all eight points including six in the paint. Ahead 72-33, RMU locked it down and secured the win, 87-48.
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
Leading the team in points tonight was sophomore
Danielle Vuletich with 15. She also totaled five rebounds and shot 50% from behind the arc. The forward from Ohio has produced 15 points in back-to-back games. "She had one year to develop last year" said Buscaglia, "she's always the first one to run up to you and ask what she needs to do. Her attitude has always been very positive." Two other Colonials scored double digits as Gedeon produced 13, and Amalia scored 12. Freshman Candela Rabadan Solis had the most helpers with five and Amalia assisted four times.
Paris Kirk paced the way in rebounds tonight for the Colonials, gathering seven, a career high for the freshman.
RMU scored 28 points off turnovers and 27 off fast breaks. RMU tabbed 11 steals. For the second game in a row, RMU shot exactly 47.1% from the field, and performed their best game from behind the three-point line, shooting 46.2%. "We have to be able to score besides around the basket" said head coach
Charlie Buscaglia. "If you aren't willing to shoot the ball from the outside and knock them down then teams will have a lot of schemes to disrupt you." The bench offered 41 points in the win. RMU continues to dominate in the second quarter, outscoring opponents 71-25.
LOOKING BACK AT RMU HISTORY
RMU's 4-0 start to the season is their best since 1980-81 when they started undefeated, 4-0 under head coach Dan Swalga. The 1980-81 team started off the season beating Bethany 65-49, Geneva 72-35, Steubenville 81-67, and Clarion 71-60. In their fifth game they were edged out 59-61 by Duquesne. That team outscored opponents 289-211 during their win streak to open the season. The current Colonials are outscoring the opposition 284-175.
ACROSS THE HORIZON
So far, during the non-conference portion of the season, RMU is one of three teams undefeated in the Horizon League. Their four wins are the most out of the other two teams. The program is only allowing 43.8 points per game which is best in the conference. The margin of 27.3 points per game is the largest. RMU remains first in some defensive categories in the Horizon. Opponents field goal percentage is 31.9% and from behind the arc 14.8%. The Colonials have collected the most steals with 49, and have caused the most turnovers (113).
Mackenzie Amalia ranks first in assists per game (4). Her 16 assists are the most out of all Horizon League players.
Phoenix Gedeon sits fifth in the Horizon League in points per game, averaging 16.3. She's also fifth in caroms, averaging seven boards per game. Gedeon's average of two steals per game is third best.
QUOTABLES
"This was a challenge for us today because it was three games in five days. I was proud of the team today. We had a few serious key points we went over with them, all the way up to shoot around. Wheeling is very well coached, but we hustled and played physical, and we shot the ball with a lot more confidence tonight."
– Head Coach Charlie Buscaglia
On being one of two Juniors on the team: "I've been a leader my whole life. I'm excited to be back in that role and keep the energy up for us. The sophomores and freshman can help lead too. Your age doesn't classify you as a leader."
– Junior Guard Mackenzie Amalia
"Defense wins our game. Once we set the tone on our defense, that's when we can get the transition runs and that's when it gets really fun. I love to be gritty and go after the ball."
– Junior Guard Mackenzie Amalia
NEXT UP
The Colonials take a nine-day break before heading out to Akron, Ohio to face the Zips (11/23) on Thanksgiving Eve. The team will look to secure the best start to program history in winning their first five games of the season. "We need to learn how to handle winning and come back humble. We're going to get after them at practice during this stretch and work hard, because we can't let winning take us down from our standards" stated Buscaglia.
Follow The Colonials: Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | YouTube | RMU Athletics Gameday App
