Moon Township, Pa. – The RMU men's basketball team concluded a two-game road trip Saturday by earning its first Horizon League win away from home with a 66-49 victory over IUPUI in Indianapolis, Ind., at the Indiana Farmers Coliseum. In picking up their third win in the last four, the Colonials improved to 6-17 (.261) overall during the 2021-22 season, including 4-10 (.286) in the Horizon League.
MOMENTS THAT MATTERED
A one-point game at the break in favor of the Colonials, 28-27, RMU was able to take control early in the second half with a 12-2 spurt that opened up a 40-29 advantage. Junior forward
Matt Mayers started the run with a three-pointer, junior forward
Jaron Williams provided a fast break layup and a triple on consecutive possessions and senior forward
Kahliel Spear, who finished with a game-high 17 points, capped it with a layup off an offensive rebound. The Jaguars were able to close to within 45-41 with a 12-5 run of their own, but after sophomore guard
Enoch Cheeks converted a pair at the stripe to stem the tide, Mayers came through again, converting a three-point play with 6:16 remaining that pushed the lead for RMU to 50-41.
QUOTABLE
"The second half was critical," RMU Pat Gallagher Head Coach
Andrew Toole said. "Kahliel and Enoch really sparked our energy after the break, and I thought the rest of the team built off of that. That's what you need to win on the road, is to guard. Enoch really ignited that defense at the top in the second half, and were able to lock in a get a win on the road. It can be a daily battle for our guys to keep the right mindset. Each and every game is a new experience and an opportunity for our guys to figure things out. We've been trying to build that buy-in, and when you have some success that becomes easier because guys are starting to see some of the fruits of their labor."
DYNAMIC DUO
Spear and Cheeks combined for 31 points, 19 rebounds, four assists and three blocks for the Colonials against IUPUI (2-19 / 0-10 #HLMBB) Saturday, leading the charge for RMU in its first #HLMBB road victory. Spear finished with his second consecutive double-double and sixth of the season with 17 points and 11 rebounds while also tying for team-high honors with three dimes. He shot 6-for-11 from the floor and 5-for-6 at the free-throw line. Cheeks chipped in 14 points, eight boards and a pair of blocks, shooting 5-for-7 from the field, including 2-for-3 from deep, while converting both of his attempts at the chalk. Cheeks has now converted nine consecutive free throws for RMU.
QUOTABLE
"We need Kahliel and Enoch to be reliable, consistent and make the plays they're capable of making," Toole said. "They have the ability to inspire others with their actions. In the first half I think we cut some corners, but in the second half we went above and beyond with our effort, and the game rewarded that. It really starts with those two. They were saying all the right things that needed to be said at halftime, and it was all predicated on getting stops."
STOP, HAMMER TIME
The Colonials held IUPUI to a shooting percentage of 30.5 percent (18-for-59), its best defensive performance against a Horizon League foe this season. In allowing just 49 points, it marks the fewest points scored by a conference opponent RMU in almost five years. The last time the Colonials held a league foe under 50 points came Feb. 21, 2019, a 62-49 victory over LIU at the North Athletic Complex. Under Toole, RMU is 11-1 (.917) against conference opposition when yielding less than 50 points in a game, with its only setback a 48-47 loss @ Mount St. Mary's (1/26/17).
UP NEXT
RMU has three games on the docket next week, the first two of which come at the UPMC Events Center. The Colonials welcome Detroit Mercy Wednesday, Feb. 9, for a 7:00 p.m. tip and will also host Oakland Friday, Feb. 11, before concluding the week Sunday, Feb. 13, at Youngstown State.
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