MOON TOWNSHIP- Robert Morris males’s basketball hosted Wright State Saturday night time in a battle for convention seeding contained in the UPMC Occasions Heart. Each getting into at 6-7 in Horizon League play, the Colonials and Raiders regarded to separate from themselves, each tied for seventh place. 

The Raiders reigned victorious in Hoop Township on the again of 24 factors from Trey Calvin and a double-double recorded by Brandon Noel in an 82-67 win. 55 of Wright State’s 82 factors had been scored within the paint.

A balanced assault instructed the story of a back-and-forth first half of motion. Josh Corbin related on back-to-back threes to spark the RMU (11-14, 6-8 Horizon League) offense however remained comparatively quiet the remainder of the night time. RMU started the sport sizzling as each groups capitalized on totally different philosophies. 

Wright State (14-11, 7-7 Horizon League) relied on scoring near the basket, totaling 16 of its first 20 factors within the paint and the bulk on layups. The Raiders led 20-18 by eight minutes of play and would maintain the benefit for 4 minutes longer than RMU did within the first half.

RMU trailed 24-23 on the under-eight media timeout because the Raiders shot 61% from the ground after 12 minutes. The Colonials tied the rating at 31 as Wright State’s capturing mark dropped to 52%, however turned a nook within the remaining three minutes and alter.

Enoch Cheeks related on a contested reverse layup to tie the sport at 25 with beneath seven minutes remaining within the first half. Spear adopted with a deep triple as RMU took the lead again. 

Wright State ended the half on a 10-3 run to shut the primary 20 minutes and take a 41-34 benefit to the locker room. The Raiders totaled a 19-of-33 (57.6%) buying clip however got here up empty in three alternatives from three. Factors within the paint instructed the story of Wright State’s seven-point lead. RMU was dealt with contained in the paint 32-14 and 7-2 in second-chance factors. The Raiders additionally owned a large benefit off the bench (16-4). 

4 gamers scored six factors or extra for Wright State. Led by 10 factors and 5 rebounds from AJ Braun, the Raiders obtained 9 factors and 5 bounds (three offensive) from Tim Finke, eight credited to Calvin, and 6 for Noel.

RMU shot 14-of-31 (45.2%) together with 4-of-12 (33.3%) from behind the arc. Cheeks and Kahliel Spear each performed 19 of the primary 20 minutes. Spear totaled eight factors and 6 rebounds whereas Cheeks scored a team-high 9. Corbin added eight as Andy Toole’s group compiled six assists and 6 turnovers earlier than motion resumed. 

Wright State continued its offensive barrage into the second half. Noel heated as much as rating six early factors and push the lead as much as 53-43 on the under-16 media timeout. Cheeks fought again on the opposite finish and commenced to seek out his capturing stroke. The dynamic duo of Cheeks and Spear as soon as once more stored the Colonials alive when Wright State had alternatives to drag away. 

Cheeks related on a three-point play to place the Colonials on a 6-0 run that turned seven and a 53-51 rating. A number of journeys down the ground later, Matt Mayers scored and was fouled however missed the following free throw. On the following two journeys offensively, Michael Inexperienced III took over. Inexperienced drained a triple to place RMU forward by one earlier than displaying a nifty transfer to transform an open layup and already attain his scoring common.

The UPMC Occasions Heart was utterly rejuvenated with vitality as RMU led 62-60 with seven minutes remaining, getting back from being down by as a lot as 14 factors.

The Raiders’ success within the paint wore off as pictures rattled off the rim. Stephaun Walker performed powerful across the rim and muscled his strategy to powerful baskets down low. Noel did the identical for Wright State, creating second and even third alternatives for the Raiders to transform. With simply over three minutes remaining, Noel continued to place the group on his again. The Raiders went forward 70-66 within the remaining 4 minutes and capitalized on an 8-0 run to observe. 

Wright State ended the sport on a 22-5 run within the remaining seven minutes to win by 15. Calvin’s 24 factors had been probably the most by any participant as 4 members reached double figures. Noel added 16 factors and 15 rebounds because the Raiders out-rebounded RMU 45-35. The Raiders shot 52% for the sport regardless of solely 2-of-9 (22%) from three. 

Spear completed along with his third-straight double-double, totaling each 11 factors and rebounds. Cheeks scored a team-best 21 factors in 38 minutes as he and Spear performed 19 minutes in every half. Walker added 10 factors and three of his 5 rebounds on the offensive finish. The Colonials shot 27-of-67 (40.3%) and 36% within the second half. RMU made six triples on 24 makes an attempt, ending the second half 2-of-12. 

Robert Morris begins a two-game street journey Friday night time in opposition to Cleveland State starting at 7 p.m.