Robert Morris Grabs First Conference Win With Resounding Performance Against IUPUI

MOON TOWNSHIP — Entering the new year, one of Robert Morris’ resolutions was certainly to arrive in the Horizon League win column after dropping two road conference contests in the state of Wisconsin and sliding to 0-4 in the standings.

In its most complete performance of the season, Robert Morris dissected IUPUI for an emphatic 92-48 victory, which marked the largest margin of defeat for the Jaguars this season and the biggest conference victory for RMU since joining the Horizon League.

Behind its most efficient shooting of the season, hitting 61.3% of its shots from the floor, the Colonials featured seven players in double digits with Josh Corbin posting 15 points with three triples to lead the way.

The first handful of possessions for Robert Morris (5-11, 1-4) spelled similar tendencies from the past few outings, but the Colonials quickly broke that funk and started to pour the ball into the hoop at an efficient rate.

Freshman Alvaro Folgueiras commenced the improved shooting as he connected on a corner triple and then used his body to provide separation and connect on a 2-pointer inches inside the charity stripe.

As the Colonials turned the corner offensively, they zeroed in on their interior defense with IUPUI (5-11, 1-4) owning the worst 3-point shooting offense in the nation and it showed as the Jaguars were just 1 of their first 13 from deep.

Per usual, Markeese Hastings let his presence be known with two steals on consecutive possessions. Both takeaways turned into offense, including a rebound an eventual finish from Hastings himself. Hastings posted 14 points and eight rebounds on the night.

IUPPUI continually struggled to capitalize on its open looks outside of some quick transitional offense and ball movement that found DJ Jackson slicing towards the hoop unguarded for two easy points.

A balanced offensive approach suited the Colonials well in the first half as they shot an efficient 63.3% from the floor with seven different players with four or more points.

Sophomores Steph Walker and TJ Wainwright were amongst that group, especially in the latter portion of the first half as Walker dominated in the paint by absorbing contact and finishing on a handful of chances at the rim. Wainwright also played off his physicality, opening up looks for himself and completing two mid-range looks.

Wainwright ended the evening with 10 points as Walker added his own 10-piece.

The second half was considerably the same as IUPUI continued to play incompetent basketball, hitting just 3 of its first 11 shots and giving away possessions on turnovers.

With the Colonials back work, they started to stretch the floor with the three ball as Justice Williams knocked down consecutive triples on his way to 12 points, along with a fortunate bounce for Wainwright as his corner trey made its way in.

The defensive effort into offensive points continued as Folgueiras reached up with a strong rejection against Yves Nkomba. Shortly thereafter, Folgueiras knocked down a corner shot beyond the arc to hit the double-digit mark as he finished with 12 points and five assists.

The Jaguars closed out the matchup shooting a mere 32 percent from the floor and made just 3 of 15 from deep.

Brady II and Jackson scored 12 apiece to lead the Jaguars.

Robert Morris continues conference play at home on Wednesday when Wright State visits the UPMC Events Center.