Balanced scoring and solid defense have been key all conference season for Andy Toole’s team and it was the formula again Saturday afternoon as Robert Morris defeated Sacred Heart, 61-58, for its fifth consecutive win.
Forward Charles Bain led the Colonials offense with a season-high 16 points, which included four 3-pointers. Junior AJ Bramah came off the bench to drop in 14 points and Yannis Mendy was 6-of-7 from the field for 12 points.
In terms of team stats, Robert Morris held Sacred Heart to 36% shooting from the field and forced 17 turnovers.
Following a 7-0 run, Sacred Heart got within 55-53 with 41 seconds remaining but Bramah hit two free throws and Robert Morris iced the game after that with a steal and dunk by Bain.
“Sacred Heart is a talented team that is extremely balanced,” RMU head coach Andy Toole said. “They did a good job getting to the line and made some three’s late. We were able to make enough free throws and manage the game down the stretch to walk out of here with a win. One of the best possessions we had was the layup Charles Bain hit late. We just have to execute possession by possession, both on the offensive and defensive ends. That was a Northeast Conference Tournament type of game.”
Robert Morris is now 14-11, 10-2 in the Northeast Conference and has a two game lead over St. Francis (Pa.) for the No. 1 seed in the NEC Tournament. The Colonials will close their three-game road trip on Thursday when they take on Mount St. Mary’s in Emmitsburg, Maryland.
GAME NOTES:
*Bramah became the fifth player in Robert Morris history to score in double figures in 20 consecutive games. The other four players were Maurice Carter (40 games), Rodney Pryor (30), Myron Walker (26) and Gabe Jackson (20).
*Robert Morris is now 7-1 this season when holding opponents under 60 points and in 10 seasons under Toole, the Colonials are 72-8 when keep the opposition under 60.
*This season, Robert Morris is holding conference teams to just 61.1 points per game.
