Robert Morris Withstands Detroit Mercy; Titans Set Horizon League Record

The last time Robert Morris and Detroit Mercy met, the Colonials averted disaster with a double-overtime victory. Still winless, Detroit Mercy was hoping to find its first victory of the season.

Similar to round one between the two squads, things were dicey down to the end yet again for the Colonials.

Even after squandering a 13-point lead, the Colonials staved off a feisty Titans team for a 75-67 win.

The 24^th consecutive loss for Detroit Mercy now holds as the Horizon League record.

Stephaun Walker was a critical piece in the Colonials effort with 21 points, which included a timely three shortly after Detroit Mercy tied the game at 50-50.

Big time 3-ball from Steph.#GRIT | @Stephwa1ker pic.twitter.com/dPVVOeQYJR

— RMU Basketball (@RMUMBasketball) February 3, 2024

To the benefit of the Titans, Walker and fellow big man Markeese Hastings, who recorded another double-double with 10 points and 10 rebounds, fouled out as the Colonials played without their two starting forwards for the final three minutes.

As Jayden Stone poured in 25 points and Marcus Tankersley adding his own 24-piece, the Colonials had to hold on against the high-scoring duo.

Perhaps with the biggest shot of the contest and of his career, Chris Ford buried his first 3-pointer of the season with 48 seconds left in the game. It was a prolonged possession that started with a Ford offensive rebound. Then, with the shot clock about to expire, Ford launched a triple and it connected as the Colonials built their lead back to seven points.

HUGE 3-pointer from @cford_!#GRIT pic.twitter.com/b9ubIDV6RI

— RMU Basketball (@RMUMBasketball) February 3, 2024

The work on the offensive glass served as a big difference for the Colonials as they snagged 19 offensive boards that culminated to 28 second chance points. RMU out-rebounded Detroit Mercy 44-20.

With Robert Morris putting together a solid first half, shooting 44 percent from the floor and hitting five triples, the Titans failed to keep up as they were 33 percent shooting as they trailed 37-25 at the break.

Detroit Mercy opened the second half hitting 10 of its first 14 shots, which dwindled the lead for RMU as the Titans eventually tied it at 48-48. However, the Titans could not find an additional stop or basket to take their first lead of the afternoon.

RMU finished the day shooting 43.5 percent from the floor with the Titans hitting on 46.3 percent of its shots. Both teams added five triples beyond the arc.

Josh Corbin nailed four of those treys on his way to 20 points.

Robert Morris finishes its four-game road trip with an even split as the Colonials improve to 5-7 in conference play and 9-14 overall.

Up next, the Colonials return to Moon Township Thursday to take on Green Bay with tip slated at 7 p.m.