What a win.
"A toughness win, and that's what it's all about. It was physical and a battle in the paint. We made one more shot," Andy Toole said after the win.
After the game, I tweeted out that games like these --tough hard nosed victories on the road, against a tough team that was in first place-- are the exact reason that this basketball program has been the NEC's best the past eight years.
Three thoughts on the win that put RMU in a tie for first place in the Northeast Conference....
1) Lucky Jones is still really good.
The senior, often overlooked now with the emergence of Marcquise Reed and Rodney Pryor, reminded us all that he is a pretty good player. Jones grabbed six boards, scored 15 points, and hit maybe the biggest shot of the season thus far (passing Marcquise Reed and his game tying three Thursday at the Mount).
With time running out on the clock, Jones crossed over, stepped back, and drilled a three right in the defenders face, taking RMU from down two, to up one. Jones was hurt on the play, twisting his ankle as he landed on the opponents foot. The senior was steady all game long, provided his usual tough defense and strong rebounding in a game that Robert Morris needed every board they could get.
"We've been looking for that from Lucky, and it was great to see it fall for him. I'm happy for him," Toole said.
2) Today is Kavon Stewart's birthday, and he delivered quite a performance to celebrate.
In the first meeting, Brent Jones destroyed Stewart, leading to a big win for the Terriers on the road. Stewart returned the favor in a big way.
The sophomore poured in a career high 13 points, three assists and was a menace at the top of the 2-3 zone, collecting three steals in the process. It was Stewart who drove to the rim possession after possession, getting to the line nine times and created many opportunities for his teammates. Stewart was a floor general in every sense, and delivered when his team needed his most. If he plays like that moving forward, Robert Morris will win the NEC.
3) Once again, we are reminded just how lucky we are to have Andy Toole at Robert Morris. The 34 year old has already reached 100 wins, going 100 and 60 to date.
"In only his 5th season, Coach Toole reaches 100th win. At 34 years old, safe to say there are many more W's to come," RMU Basketball.
That is remarkable in this day-and-age in the NEC. On Saturday, we saw exactly why Toole has reached such high levels at such a young age. His team always seems to execute, make big shots, and get big stops down the stretch. He is the best coach in this league and always seems to have his team prepared. His teams are always good defensively (that adjustment to the 2-3 zone remains a major notch on his belt), they execute inbounds play (see Kentucky game) and make more winning plays than the opposition.
Congrats to Andy, and his program on the milestone. Only one thing left for him to accomplish, and getting a win like this will help achieve that goal come March.
"A toughness win, and that's what it's all about. It was physical and a battle in the paint. We made one more shot," Andy Toole said after the win.
After the game, I tweeted out that games like these --tough hard nosed victories on the road, against a tough team that was in first place-- are the exact reason that this basketball program has been the NEC's best the past eight years.
Three thoughts on the win that put RMU in a tie for first place in the Northeast Conference....
1) Lucky Jones is still really good.
The senior, often overlooked now with the emergence of Marcquise Reed and Rodney Pryor, reminded us all that he is a pretty good player. Jones grabbed six boards, scored 15 points, and hit maybe the biggest shot of the season thus far (passing Marcquise Reed and his game tying three Thursday at the Mount).
With time running out on the clock, Jones crossed over, stepped back, and drilled a three right in the defenders face, taking RMU from down two, to up one. Jones was hurt on the play, twisting his ankle as he landed on the opponents foot. The senior was steady all game long, provided his usual tough defense and strong rebounding in a game that Robert Morris needed every board they could get.
"We've been looking for that from Lucky, and it was great to see it fall for him. I'm happy for him," Toole said.
2) Today is Kavon Stewart's birthday, and he delivered quite a performance to celebrate.
In the first meeting, Brent Jones destroyed Stewart, leading to a big win for the Terriers on the road. Stewart returned the favor in a big way.
The sophomore poured in a career high 13 points, three assists and was a menace at the top of the 2-3 zone, collecting three steals in the process. It was Stewart who drove to the rim possession after possession, getting to the line nine times and created many opportunities for his teammates. Stewart was a floor general in every sense, and delivered when his team needed his most. If he plays like that moving forward, Robert Morris will win the NEC.
3) Once again, we are reminded just how lucky we are to have Andy Toole at Robert Morris. The 34 year old has already reached 100 wins, going 100 and 60 to date.
"In only his 5th season, Coach Toole reaches 100th win. At 34 years old, safe to say there are many more W's to come," RMU Basketball.
That is remarkable in this day-and-age in the NEC. On Saturday, we saw exactly why Toole has reached such high levels at such a young age. His team always seems to execute, make big shots, and get big stops down the stretch. He is the best coach in this league and always seems to have his team prepared. His teams are always good defensively (that adjustment to the 2-3 zone remains a major notch on his belt), they execute inbounds play (see Kentucky game) and make more winning plays than the opposition.
Congrats to Andy, and his program on the milestone. Only one thing left for him to accomplish, and getting a win like this will help achieve that goal come March.
