Robert Morris (9-6, 1-3) went to overtime for the second straight game after beating Northern Kentucky in triple overtime on Sunday. Unfortunately for the Colonials, this time around, they fell in the extra period to Detroit Mercy (6-10, 2-3) by the score of 78-76.
While Emmanuel Kauc scored six of the Titans’ eight overtime points, Orlando Lovejoy carried the Titans to thrilling victory as he scored 24 of his game-high 32 points in the second half and overtime periods.
At separate points in the second half, Lovejoy scored seven and 12 consecutive points for the Titans as they battled back from a 10-point halftime deficit.
The Titans kicked the scoring off when Orlando Lovejoy scored on a layup on the game’s opening possession. The Colonials answered right back on a three-pointer from Kam Woods. The Colonials then jumped out to a 9-4 lead before the the Titans pulled back within two.
Robert Morris then went on a 9-0 run to establish a double-digit-lead. Josh Omojafo started the run with a triple and Amarion Dickerson capped it off with a midrange jumper. The Colonials managed to hold the Titans offense at bay in the first half and eventually carried that double-digit lead into halftime as they lead 31-21.
In the first half, the Titans shot just 33% from the field and 0-of-5 from three-point range. The Colonials did not shoot much better in the half but the main separator was the Colonials’ three triples.
The Titans came out of the intermission with more energy and flow than they had in the first half as they used an early 8-0 run to crawl back to within three of the Colonials. Kauc hit back-to-back threes to get the Titans offense going.
The Colonials managed to answer with a bucket from Ismael Plet and a pair of free throws from Alvaro Folgueiras which re-extended their lead to 44-37.
The Titans found another spark following the small run by the Colonials on a monster put-back dunk from Miles Mitchell but unfortunately for the Titans, Mitchell received a technical foul following the dunk which seized their momentum. Omojafo nailed both free throws in response.
The Colonials went on a 5-0 run off of the back of those free throws and led by 10 points once again as the score was 49-39. Searching for an answer, the Titans turned to Lovejoy who went on a personal 5-0 run in response. Lovejoy then went on another run later in the half where he scored 12 straight points for the Titans.
The game eventually was sent to overtime behind Lovejoy’s 22 second-half points.
The Colonials jumped out to a 3-point advantage in overtime after Dickerson and Omojafo both nailed a pair of free throws but after a layup from TJ Nadeau and two untimely fouls which sent Kauc to the line, the Titans managed to score the game’s last 5 points and clinch the victory.
The Colonials had a chance to tie the game or win it at the buzzer and got a good look on a three by Ryan Prather Jr. but his shot bounced off of the rim and the time expired on Robert Morris.
Dickerson and Woods each scored 20 points in the loss for the Colonials. Omojafo ended the game with 13 points.
Aside from Lovejoy’s game-high 32 points, the Titans received 15 points from Kauc and 10 points from Legend Geeter.
The Colonials stay on the road as they head to Oakland for a Saturday afternoon showdown with the Golden Grizzlies. After two-straight overtime games, the Colonials will need to recover fast as they have just one day off in-between games.
