MOON TOWNSHIP, PA – The St. Francis College Brooklyn men's basketball team (7-7, 1-1 NEC) fell to Robert Morris (7-9, 3-0 NEC) on Thursday night at the UPMC Events Center in Moon Township, PA. The defeat was the Terriers' first in over a month as they were on a season-long four-game winning streak prior to the outcome.
The Colonials led from the opening minutes as they began the game on an 8-0 run that lasted the first 3:43. From that point forward St. Francis and Robert Morris traded baskets for the remainder of the half as the Colonials took a 39-30 lead into the halftime break.
Graduate guard
Unique McLean fueled the Terriers' offense in the opening half as he scored all 11 points in the opening frame. McLean got the Terriers on the board with a driving layup at the 16:17 mark. His first eight points came off of strong drives to the basket where he was able to finish around the rim. With 19 seconds remaining in the first half he drilled a three-pointer, which cut the Colonials' lead to seven (37-30).
Right before the halftime buzzer sounded Robert Morris' Charles Bain knocked down a jumper to give the Colonials a 39-30 advantage at the break. Freshman guard
Rob Higgins added eight points off the bench for the Terriers.
The Colonials built upon their lead in the second half as they had three players score in double figures with Josh Williams leading the way with a game-high 20 points. Junior guard
Chauncey Hawkins converted a three-pointer to begin the second half for the Terriers. But Robert Morris struck back and went on to increase its lead over the course of the second half en route to its third win in league play.
HOW IT HAPPENED:
St. Francis Brooklyn – 52 | Robert Morris – 78
- McLean scored in double figures for the third-straight game as he finished the contest with 11 points on 5-of-8 shooting from the field and grabbed seven rebounds in 29 minutes. With 14:58 to play in the game, McLean recorded his lone block of the game as he chased down Sayveon McEwen and sent away his fastbreak attempt.
- Higgins tallied 11 points on 5-of-12 shooting from the floor as he scored in double-digits for the fourth game in a row.
- Senior forward Deniz Celen scored seven points and grabbed six rebounds in 30 minutes. Hawkins registered seven points on 3-of-8 shooting, dished out two assists, and grabbed a pair of rebounds.
UP NEXT:
St. Francis continues its annual Western Pennsylvania trip as it takes on Saint Francis (PA) on Saturday, January 11, at 7 p.m. St. Francis Brooklyn is 40-43 all-time against Saint Francis (PA) and the teams are set to meet for the 84
th time in history. Last season, the Terriers and Red Flash split the season series as St. Francis picked up a 72-68 win over Saint Francis inside the Pope Physical Education.
