When Robert Morris takes the floor against Northern Kentucky, the Norse have not been too kind to the Colonials. That tradition carried on after NKU dominated the Colonials for its largest margin of defeat in the series, 77-59.
Looking to jump out to a strong start in Horizon League play against the defending conference champs, the Colonials (2-5, 0-1) showed very few signs of belonging on the floor. Communication was a key issue as the Colonials seemed out of sync and 15 turnovers once again plagued RMU.
One play summed up the dreadful performance for Robert Morris. After back-to-back 3-point misses from Josh Corbin and Justice Williams, the rebound came to Marques Warrick. All five Colonials turned and focused in on the senior guard. With zero awareness, the Colonials let Sam Vinson run the floor behind the defense for a wide-open lob and slam to extend the Norse lead to 17 points.
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That’s basically how the night unfolded for the Colonials as they were once again shorthanded as TJ Wainwright missed the contest with injury.
There was a spark for the Colonials for only about five minutes spanning the end of the first half into the second.
Robert Morris strung together a small run at the beginning of the second frame that was highlighted by a strong rebound grabbed by Trey James, who got it out to Alfredo Boglio, who then used his vision to find Chris Ford back inside for the finish. That tied the game at 33.
From there, it was all downhill for RMU. The Norse (4-3, 1-0) answered that brief Colonial run with a massive 24-4 swing. The Colonial killer, Warrick, was back at it again as he galvanized that run and the Norse offense with 25 points on the night.
Warrick’s alley-oop find to Vinson extended that run as Vinson ended the night with 15 points and two triples.
After one of its best performances behind the arc just a few days ago, the Colonials followed that up with a pitiful 4 for 22 from that range. Corbin was a meager 3 for 12 from three with just nine points after posting a career-high 34 against FDU.
Steph Walker, who will be leaned on to finish within the paint, ended the night going o-fer on eight field goal attempts. He did grab nine boards for the Colonials.
It was a rather forgettable first half for Robert Morris as the Colonials limped to a season-low first half output with 23 points.
The Colonials opened up hitting just three of its first 13 attempts and if it wasn’t for Markeese Hastings showing no signs of rust after a one-game suspension, they would be further down the gutter.
Hastings quickly made his presence known with a two-hand slam after Steph Walker found him all alone in the paint. Hastings would register the Colonials’ first six points before Josh Corbin finally nailed a three 12 minutes into the game after missing his first three 3-point attempts.
As the shots wouldn’t fall for the Colonials, including a five-minute scoring drought, Northern Kentucky jumped out to a 12-point lead thanks in part to Warrick. The senior, who averages 20.9 points per game versus the Colonials, continued his tear against RMU as he carried the Norse in the first half, firing in 14 points.
The Colonials would also get a taste from the high-flying Marquette transfer Keeyan Itejere with a thunderous backboard-shaking slam six minutes into the game.
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Even after a poor first half with a lack of communication and 11 turnovers, the Colonials were lucky to trail only by six points at halftime.
As quickly as the Colonials tied the game at the start of the second half was just as brisk as it evaporated on the way to a strong first victory for the defending Horizon League champs and preseason favorites.
Hastings ended the evening with 14 points, while Williams registered 11.
Robert Morris will return back the Moon Township for its conference home opener against rival Youngstown State on Saturday at 2 p.m.
