Robert Morris’ skid hits 7 after OT loss to Youngstown State
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It went down to the wire Friday night for a pair of familiar opponents facing one another for the first time in a Horizon League game.
Robert Morris and Youngstown State met for the 21st time in men’s basketball after 20 matchups came in nonconference play before Robert Morris decided to join the Horizon League this season after a long period that began in 1982 as a member of the Northeast Conference.
While the Colonials have had more than a share of their success against the Penguins, they couldn’t add to their victories total, dropping an 84-78 decision in overtime at UPMC Events Center, their fourth loss by six points or less against Horizon League opponents.
“A very frustrating loss,” Robert Morris coach Andy Toole said.
It was the seventh consecutive setback for the Colonials.
“We battled. We battled. We battled. But we weren’t able to make the plays, not able to make the stops.” Toole said. “It is really frustrating, and we’re trying to continue to fight and work and stay together. But it’s a challenge, for sure.”
The teams were playing the first of two games on back-to-back days and were scheduled for a rematch at 5 p.m. Saturday.
Darius Quisenberry scored 20 points, and Naz Bohannon added 18 to lead Youngstown State (9-10, 5-10). Michael Akuchie’s 3-point shot with 1 minute, 57 seconds left in overtime gave the Penguins the lead for good.
AJ Bramah, back in the lineup after a two-game absence, paced Robert Morris (3-10, 2-8) with 20 points and 11 rebounds.
Youngstown State tied the score 74-74 on 1 of 2 free throws by Bohannon after Bramah’s three-point play put Robert Morris ahead by a point in OT — its first lead since early in the second half.
Jon Williams’ 3-point shot at the buzzer in regulation sent the game into overtime.
“We’re right there,” Williams said. “The difference is in the details. Games can be won on inches.”
Youngstown State represents Robert Morris’ most familiar Horizon League opponent and a team it had beaten more times than not in a series dating to 1989 while the Colonials were in the NEC, where they claimed the 2020 tournament championship.
But, while they came in holding an 11-9 edge in the all-time series against the Penguins, it was Youngstown State that came out on top in the latest affair.
“We have a lot of respect for Robert Morris and what Andy and (former coach) Mike Rice have built here,” Youngstown State coach Jerrod Calhoun said. “We’re very familiar with them and what they’ve accomplished. We’ve had some real battles with them.”
Akuchie added 13 points and Garrett Covington 10 for Youngstown State, which shot 49.1 percent and made 21 of 26 free throws.
Kahliel Spear (17 points) and William and Enoch Cheeks (12 each) also scored in double figures for Robert Morris.
Youngstown State seized a lead after halftime and held off Robert Morris until the Colonials managed to pull even at the last second of regulation.
Robert Morris led for much of the first half en route to a 37-32 halftime advantage.
But Youngstown State scored the first eight points of the second half, including three consecutive baskets by Covington, to go ahead, 40-37.
The Penguins stretched the lead to 50-41 on a pair of free throws by Bohannon with 12:36 left.
Robert Morris fought back to tie it 52-52 on a layup by Bramah, the Horizon League’s leading scorer (21.5 ppg), before Youngstown State went back in front for good on a 3-point shot by Greyson Kelley with 8:27 remaining.
Youngstown State led 62-55 with 5:55 on a basket by Covington, then Robert Morris closed within a point on three separate occasions, the final time on Bramah’s basket with 11 seconds to go.
Shemar Rathan-Mayes made two free throws for Youngstown State with 4.2 seconds remaining before Williams’ 3-point shot sent the game into overtime.
“We’re not there yet mentally and physically to understand when that time is to empty the tank and finish out a ball game,” Williams said. “We have to take advantage of things when we get in a position to win, like we did tonight. The great thing about it is we get to come back tomorrow for a chance at it again.”