The start of 2024 has been kind so far to Andy Toole and his RMU basketball team.
The Colonials have won 4 of 5 games in the new year following today’s 17-point road win against IUPUI. With the win, RMU ups their overall record to 8-12, 4-5 in the Horizon League and have now won 3 games in a row.
Like their first meeting when Robert Morris won by 44 points, this afternoon’s game was never in doubt.
Toole’s team came and out dominated the first half, shooting 51.7% from the field, 46.7% from 3-point range and went into halftime leading 42-26. The Colonials biggest first half lead was 18 points following a jump shot by TJ Wainwright that made the score 42-24.
IUPUP tried to make a run at the start of the second half and took advantage of a number of RMU turnovers but the closest they could get was 11 points. RMU’s ability to hit timely three-point shots to kill any momentum IUPUI was trying to generate was key. In the second half, Robert Morris hit nine 3-pointers and for the game, 6 different Colonials hit shot from beyond the arc and they hit a season high 16 3-pointers.
“With playing seven guys today, we were able to balance the minutes as well as we could have,” said RMU head coach Andy Toole. “Everybody gave effort – and when they do and everybody is defending, it makes it so much easier to trust guys going into the game. We had great ball movement and made those extra passes, which is what you need against IUPUI’s defense.”
RMU BOXSCORE:
Josh Corbin: 20 points (4 3-pointers).
Justice Williams: 17 points (5-pointers).
TJ Wainwright: 16 points (3-pointers).
Markeese Hastings: 9 points, 6 rebounds and 3 assists.
Stephaun Walker: 8 points, 1 rebound and 3 assists.
Alvaro Folgueiras: 6 points.
Chris Ford: 4 points, 4 rebounds and 1 assist.
Robert Morris will get a nice break as they don’t return to action until next Sunday as they’ll have an important game at Cleveland State. RMU doesn’t return home to the UMPC Events Center until Thursday, February 8th against Green Bay.
