MOON TOWNSHIP, Pa. – Jacksonville used a 45-point 2^nd half in its 74-65 victory over RMU in the first game of the Urban-Bennett Memorial Classic at the UPMC Events Center.
 
Three Colonials scored in double-figures with Markeese Hastings leading RMU (1-4) with a double-double of 19 points and a game-high 11 rebounds. Justice Williams added 11 and Josh Corbin 10 in his first action since the season-opener.
 
Robert McCray led all players with 25 points and six assists for the Dolphins (3-2).
 
The 1^st half saw eight ties before Corbin's 3-pointer with 48 seconds remaining put RMU ahead 30-27. They would take a 31-29 advantage into halftime.
 
The 2^nd half had three more ties until McCray's 3-pointer put the Dolphins ahead 38-35. JU's lead would increase to eight points on Gyasi Powell's 3-pointer at 11:14. The Colonials chipped away at the lead and made it 53-52 on Williams' driving layup.
 
Jacksonville called a timeout on the ensuing possession with 6:22 to play. During the stoppage, there was an altercation which led to technical fouls called on both head coaches, RMU's TJ Wainwright and JU's Marcus Niblack. Additionally, each player on both benches was ejected and the game was ordered to finish with the five players on the court before the occurrence.
 
Order was restored and with the Colonials down 60-59, McCray's jumper was off target, but the Dolphins were able to regain possession which resulted in a Jarius Cook 3-pointer. A Williams free throw with 59 seconds remaining made the score 70-65, but McCray would hit four free throws in the final 40 seconds to close out the game's scoring.
 
The next game of the Urban-Bennett Memorial Classic is Jacksonville and Fairleigh Dickinson November 25. The Colonials return to the floor November 26 against FDU in the first game to close out the event.
 
RMU BASKETBALL SEASON TICKETS
Season tickets for RMU basketball for the 2023-24 season can be purchased by calling the RMU Ticket Office at (412) 397-4949. In addition to a full slate of Horizon League games, the Colonials will also host an MTE Tournament at the UPMC Events Center as part of their 2023-24 non-conference home schedule.
 
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