Moon Township, Pa. – The RMU men's basketball team opened the home portion of its 2022-23 season Wednesday with an 84-49 victory over Pitt Greensburg at the UPMC Events Center. The victory evened RMU's overall record to 1-1 (.500).
MOMENTS THAT MATTERED
Jojo France, who led all scorers in the contest with 23 points for the Bobcats, converted a layup at the 17:25 mark of the opening half to give UPG a 6-5 advantage before the Colonials reeled off a 10-0 run to grab a 15-6 cushion. Guard
Enoch Cheeks answered the layup by France with a step back jumper and also knocked down a three-pointer during the surge as the junior scored 13 points in the first half. In the opening 20 minutes action, Cheeks finished a perfect 5-for-5 from the field, including 3-for-3 from beyond the arc, and also recorded three rebounds, two steals and an assist.
QUOTABLE
"We really wanted to emphasize coming into the game is making sure we were as locked in as we possibly could be on the defensive side," RMU Pat Gallagher Head Coach
Andrew Toole. "We're trying to get everyone to understand that if we defend the way we're supposed to defend the offense will take care of itself. That's really where our focus has to be, and for the most part tonight I thought we did that."
INTERNATIONAL WATERS
Five different Colonials converted from beyond the arc in the first half as RMU shot 9-for-15 (60%) from deep in the opening 20 minutes and 50 percent (14-for-28) overall. Cheeks paced the Colonials with 20 points on the strength of an 8-for-9 shooting performance, including 4-for-5 from beyond the arc, while junior guard
Josh Corbin scored 12 points, grabbed three rebounds and dished out three assists. Corbin finished 4-for-8 from the three-point line as RMU improved to 57-22 (.722) in 13 seasons under Toole when connecting for at least 10 triples in a game.
QUOTABLE
"I like that we're all willing to get better," Cheeks said. "A lot of guys have that grit in them. Everyone comes in and gets extra work, whether that's shooting every day or watching film. Guys are ready to make that extra effort, and it's something we're going to need in the long run. If we take what we learned at Ohio State and tonight and implement that throughout the season it will be helpful for us. We're starting to come together and gel."
DISTRIBUTING
A key by product of converting 14 three-pointers Wednesday against Pitt Greensburg was RMU finished with 18 assists against just 10 turnovers. A total of eight different Colonials posted a dime, including six that finished with at least a pair. Sophomore guard
Jackson Last finished with 10 points and was one of four student-athletes to pace the Colonials with three assists, joining Corbin, fifth-year forward
Kahliel Spear and freshman guard
TJ Wainwright. In 18 minutes off the bench, Wainwright scored nine points, grabbed a game-high six rebounds and also recorded a steal.
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
Cheeks has now scored in double figures in four consecutive games dating back to last season thanks to his performance Wednesday against the Bobcats, a stretch in which he is averaging 17.5 points per contest while shooting 54.5 percent (24-for-44) from the field. During that same stretch Cheeks is also averaging 4.8 rebounds, 3.3 assists and 1.5 blocks per contest.
QUOTABLE
"We try to play the right way," Toole said. "If you're open you shoot it and if someone else is open you give them the ball. (Enoch) is a great example of when you continue to grow, develop and work the process of becoming a Division I player, it's amazing what can open up for you. Last year he made great strides throughout the course of the year. (Enoch) has a special ability to be able to affect a game defensively and with his energy, and I don't ever want him to lose that. Everyone wants to score and shoot, and that comes with understanding how to play. He's put in a lot of work. When you stay with it and continue to work, good stuff happens."
UP NEXT
RMU has a week off before welcoming West Virginia Wesleyan to the UPMC Events Center Wednesday, Nov. 16, for a 7:00 p.m. tip.
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