Robert Morris broke a three-game losing streak Sunday in comeback fashion. On the road against Purdue Fort Wayne, the Colonials erased a 13-point deficit at halftime thanks to a 47-27 differential in the second half.
RMU’s (12-15, 7-9 Horizon League) final two games on the calendar are in Indiana, first handing the Mastodons (15-12, 7-9) a 71-64 defeat in large part to a game and season-high 24 points from Michael Green III off the bench.
Andy Toole’s squad struggled mightily shooting the basketball in the first half. Posting a 10-of-34 (29.4%) performance, the Colonials collectively shot 1-of-9 from three-point land to fall behind for a long period of time.
Things changed significantly in the second half as RMU shot the lights out at 62% to finish the afternoon at 44% from the field. The Colonials attempted nine triples again during the final 20 minutes, draining three. They dominated two critical categories: points off turnovers and points in the paint.
Purdue Fort Wayne hurt itself time and time again in the second portion of the game, committing 21 total turnovers. RMU capitalized by scoring 21 points off them and 14 second-chance points. The Colonials scored 40 points in the paint to PFW’s 22 as the Mastodons attempted to win the contest behind the arc, shooting 8-of-24 (33%) and not able to turn the tide back in their favor.
Green III shot 9-of-14 and added five assists and three rebounds as the 6th man. Kahliel Spear played 33 minutes, adding 12 points and seven rebounds. Stephaun Walker nearly recorded another double-double with nine points and 10 rebounds. Three of Walker’s boards came on the offensive glass.
RMU continued to chip away in the second half before tying the game at 62 on two free throws from Green III with two and a half minutes left. MGIII was not done. Green III cashed in on a three-point shot to grab a 67-64 advantage a the 1:17 mark. The veteran guard posted
Jarred Godfrey scored 23 points in 35 minutes plus five rebounds and four assists for the Mastodons in the loss. Bobby Planutis added 15 points on 5-of-12 shooting and 4-of-1o behind the arc as PFW shot 42.9% from the floor overall and 39% in the second half.
RMU moves into a tie for 7th place in the Horizon League with Purdue Fort Wayne entering the final matchups of the season. The Colonials return home Thursday night to begin a three-game homestand before battling IUPUI on the road to close the regular season schedule on Feb. 23 from Indianapolis, the sight of the Horizon League Conference Tournament.
Great comeback! Down by 18 and able to fight back for the win!