The Youngstown State men’s basketball team entered Sunday riding high on a six-game winning streak.
The Penguins defeated the Detroit Mercy Titans and were in the midst of hosting their third of a five-game homestand.
Then Robert Morris came to town.
RMU (7-19, 5-12 Horizon League) became a team on a mission in the second half to end Youngstown State’s (16-11, 10-7) winning streak and make up for an earlier season loss to win 73-68.
The Colonials and Penguins took turns trading the lead the first 10 minutes of action, but YSU pulled away in the final eight minutes especially. YSU took a 33-28 score into halftime thanks to nine points from impactful guard Dwayne Cohill.
Myles Hunter also recorded nine off the bench, scoring as many bench points as RMU the first 20 minutes.
Robert Morris did a fine job keeping the conference’s 5th-place team in-check and never allowing the lead to expand to a point of no return.
Kahliel Spear was a major reason why, scoring 10 points on 3-of-3 field goals and two foul shots. Kam Farris also made his mark, coming off the bench again, totaling six points despite 1-of-5 shooting. Farris capitalized on three free throws and was joined by Matt Mayers dropping five points.
RMU shot just under 41% from the floor along with 4-of-8 from deep in what was a sign to come for the second half.
The team immediately responded and fought their way back to a closer differential. YSU did contain multiple eight-point leads in the second 20, but could not make a shot when needed in the final minutes.
Free throws were critical for each side, with Spear and Farris contributing, but Farris making only one of two with 1:07 remaining left the door open for the Penguins to jolt through.
They failed to do so as Tevin Olison failed to make a triple after Farris gave RMU the lead and Michael Green III made two to make the lead three.
Michael Akuchie then missed a shot from behind the arc that would have tied it but an Enoch Cheeks rebound and two free throws with six seconds left sealed the deal for the Colonial upset.
Spear played one of his best games in a Colonial uniform and the win would not have been possible without his 27 points on an impressive 10-of-11 from the field and 7 rebounds.
Green III (14), Mayers (11), and Farris (10) all scored in double digits to propel RMU to a major win.
The team shot 53% on the day and a whopping 7-for-11 from downtown including a perfect 3-for-3 from Spear during his memorable night.
Cohill totaled 18 points and Akuchie a double-double with 11 points and rebounds.
RMU outscored YSU 45-35 in the second half on its way to victory.
Robert Morris returns home Thursday facing 2-21 IUPUI at 7 p.m.
