Moon Township, Pa. – With two massive stops in the final 26 seconds, the Robert Morris women's basketball team gutted out a 50-45 victory over Milwaukee on Sunday afternoon at the UPMC Events Center during Senior Day.

With the win, the Colonials improve to 11-16 overall this season, with a 5-13 mark in Horizon League play. They also captured their first win against Milwaukee in the series. Meanwhile, the Panthers fall to 9-17 overall behind a 7-11 mark in conference action.

MOMENTS THAT MATTERED
In the fourth quarter, Milwaukee held a 35-33 lead before freshman guard Natalie Johnson hit back-to-back triples to give the Colonials a 39-35 advantage. The Panthers countered with an 8-0 run, where they were four-of-five from the floor to regain a 43-39 lead. The two squads would go almost three minutes without a basket until sophomore Danielle Vuletich buried a straight-on three-pointer to pull Robert Morris within one, with 3:10 remaining. Sophomore Alejandra Mastral would give the Colonials the lead as she connected on a triple from behind the arc, 45-43. A Jada Donaldson layup would knot the score at 45-45 before sophomore Phoenix Gedeon hit one-of-two from the charity stripe.

It was an offensive struggle for Robert Morris to begin the contest as Milwaukee scored the opening eight points on the afternoon. Sophomore Rebecca Dwomoh ended the scoring drought as she buried a right wing three to get the Colonials on the board. After an Angie Cera three-pointer, Robert Morris ended the quarter on a 4-2 run to trim the deficit 13-7. The two teams went almost three minutes without a bucket to begin the second quarter before Mastral connected on a triple to cut the lead, 13-10. During that span, the Colonials forced the Panthers into four turnovers. Milwaukee would extend its lead with a pair of free-throws before a Simone Morris jumper would cut the Panther lead to 15-12 with 6:28 remaining in the opening half. Robert Morris would score four of the next six points to end the quarter and trail 17-16 heading into the locker room.

In the second half, Milwaukee opened the third quarter on a 4-1 run before Mastral connected on a right corner triple. The two teams would trade the next 10 points before a Morris jumper would give the Colonials its first lead of the afternoon, 27-26. The two squads would trade baskets for the final three minutes as Milwaukee held a 35-33 advantage.

ICE IN THE VEINS
Clinging to a one-point lead with 26 seconds remaining, Milwaukee missed the go-ahead layup and would send Mastral to the free-throw line. The Spain native stepped to the line and buried both free-throws to give RMU a 48-45 advantage with eight seconds remaining. After a Milwaukee timeout to advance the ball, Angie Cera got a game-tying look from behind the arc that would hit off the front of the rim. Gedeon would head to the charity stripe and knock down both free-throws to seal the game for the Colonials.

QUOTABLE
"The free-throws were a really important moment," sophomore Alejandra Mastral said. "I feel people take them for granted sometimes but they're tough and key factors.

RAINING TRIPLES
Robert Morris put on one of its best performances from behind the arc, shooting 50 percent (8-of-16) for the game. Alejandra Mastral tied her career-high as she was 4-of-5 from long range, while registering a career-high 16 points. Natalie Johnson hit two big three-pointers in the fourth quarter off the bench as Danielle Vuletich and Rebecca Dwomoh carded one triple apiece. The Colonials held Milwaukee to just 12.5 percent (2-of-16) from three-point land, including 1-of-12 in the first half.

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"We responded very well today," RMU head coach Charlie Buscaglia said. "Down the stretch, it came down to defense and we got the job done and did everything we could to bother them. On the defensive end, those stops down the stretch were the big deal. We hit some shots and made some great plays but getting those stops and contested looks is what made the difference. It was just a really good win and I'm proud of them."

SENIOR SEND OFF
Before today's contest, the Robert Morris women's basketball team recognized their lone senior in Mackenzie Amalia. She paced the Colonials with a team-high three steals and three assists, while collecting three rebounds in the victory. It's the fourth time this season Amalia has collected three or more steals, while leading the team in assists for the 13^th time this year. The Beaver Falls native has totaled 72 assists this season and has collected 36 steals during the 2022-23 campaign.

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"Mackenzie is someone that will be remembered committing to this program at a very young age," Buscaglia continued. "She has felt really connected to everything we're doing here. She's grown up a lot here and has really taken on that leadership role. It's not easy to do, everyone wants to be a leader but she's really taken that on in great strides. You can't be afraid to speak up and I'm a big right and wrong guy, there's no gray areas and being confident when you know what's right. Kenzie has been doing that a lot and that's been a big growth for her and that's what she's meant to our program. I can just remember moment after moment of her taking that next step as a leader and I'm very proud of her."

"She's a really hard worker," Mastral said. "That has helped us a lot and the passion that she has is amazing. Every time we're in a tough game or in a close one, she's always there cheering and encouraging everyone."

INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
Mastral led RMU with a career-high 16 points, while Gedeon carded her 12^th double-double of the season with 10 points and 10 caroms. She shot 8-of-14 from the charity strip while dishing out three assists and collecting a steal. Simone Morris chipped in nine points on 4-of-8 shooting from the floor and grabbed three rebounds, while Rebecca Dwomoh and Natalie Johnson each scored six points each. Amalia and freshman guard Louella Allana each tallied three steals during the win.

UP NEXT
RMU hits the road for its final road trip of the regular season when it travels to IUPUI on Thursday, Feb. 23, with tip-off set for 5:30 p.m.

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