MOON TOWNSHIP, Pa.  – RMU fended off a late surge from Purdue Fort Wayne to secure its 20th victory of the season with a 76-69 win at the UPMC Events Center on Saturday afternoon. This marks the first 20-win season for the Colonials (20-8, 12-5 HLMBB) since 2020. The Mastodons dropped their second straight game, falling to 18-10 overall and 11-6 in Horizon League play. With the win, RMU moves into sole possession of second place, sitting a half-game ahead of Youngstown State and one game behind conference leader Cleveland State.
 
1st HALF
RMU set the tone early with a balanced offensive attack, shooting 58.6% from the field in the first half. The Colonials jumped out to a fast start and extended their lead to as many as 14 points after a basket from Amarion Dickerson made it 35-21 with 3:17 remaining. Alvaro Folgueiras and Dickerson combined for 30 points, helping RMU take a 40-31 halftime lead.
 
2nd HALF
Despite trailing throughout the second half, Purdue Fort Wayne made a late push, using a 22-12 run to cut a 13-point deficit down to just three points in the final 27 seconds after a Rasheed Bello and-1 made it 72-69. However, Ryan Prather Jr. hit both free throws on the ensuing possession, and the RMU defense forced back-to-back empty possessions from PFW to close out the game.
 
INSIDE THE NUMBERS

• Robert Morris finished with a season-high 54.7% shooting from the field.
• The Colonials controlled the paint, outscoring PFW 44-32.
• Folgueiras led RMU with 21 points, while Dickerson added 16 and Kam Woods chipped in 12.
• DJ Smith dished out a game-high five assists.
• Rasheed Bello led all scorers with 25 points, and Quinton Morton-Robertson hit five three-pointers en route to 15 points.

 
UP NEXT
The Colonials remain at the UPMC Events Center to host Green Bay on Friday, February 21, before closing out their home schedule against Milwaukee on Sunday, February 23. The regular season concludes with a road matchup against IU Indy on Thursday, February 27.
 
RMU MEN'S BASKETBALL TICKETS
Group ticket packages for the remaining 2024-25 games can be purchased by calling the RMU Ticket Office at (412) 397-4949 or tickets@rmu.edu.
 
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