While much of our recap last night focused on Robert Morris' storybook season ending, including the final game for Karvel Anderson and Anthony Myers-Pate, there were a few other elements of the game that were only mentioned briefly.
That included the Colonials running out of gas and unable to find their legs on offense in the second half. Part of that was sheer exhaustion, thanks to Robert Morris being down to seven guys and Belmont being a very active and intense team to play against.
But part of it also may have been a minor injury to Lucky Jones. Friend of the site Dallas Jackson, who was covering the game for our compatriots at the Beaver County Times, said the play happened right in front of him near the Belmont basket. Jones went up for a block in the first half but ended up smacking his hand off the bottom of the backboard. Jones was wincing and holding his hand after the play, and he ended up just shooting 3-of-13 after that play after starting 3-of-4.
The good news for Robert Morris is the injury doesn't appear to be serious.
"Yeah, when I went up I hit the board and it did something, hurt my hand. I mean I'll be alright but it hurts," Jones told Jackson after the game.
Jones wouldn't allow it to be an excuse for his play or the team's play down the stretch.
"I don't want to make any excuses, my shots just weren't falling. I wasn't taking 'man shots', I was trying to draw the foul and it didn't work. I don't know if it was the hand hurting or what Belmont was doing but you have to give them credit. My shot didn't fall for whatever reason," Jones said. "My hand, my legs were cramping and I told coach to leave me in because we were short and the team needed me. It was fast paced and tough. They are a good mid-major a lot like us that when you aren't at your best they make you pay. I don't want to make excuses for how I played today, the shots just didn't fall."
Jones still provided 15 points and nine rebounds to cap a strong junior season that landed him on the All-NEC second team.
This post was edited on 3/22 12:59 PM by Andrew_Chiappazzi
That included the Colonials running out of gas and unable to find their legs on offense in the second half. Part of that was sheer exhaustion, thanks to Robert Morris being down to seven guys and Belmont being a very active and intense team to play against.
But part of it also may have been a minor injury to Lucky Jones. Friend of the site Dallas Jackson, who was covering the game for our compatriots at the Beaver County Times, said the play happened right in front of him near the Belmont basket. Jones went up for a block in the first half but ended up smacking his hand off the bottom of the backboard. Jones was wincing and holding his hand after the play, and he ended up just shooting 3-of-13 after that play after starting 3-of-4.
The good news for Robert Morris is the injury doesn't appear to be serious.
"Yeah, when I went up I hit the board and it did something, hurt my hand. I mean I'll be alright but it hurts," Jones told Jackson after the game.
Jones wouldn't allow it to be an excuse for his play or the team's play down the stretch.
"I don't want to make any excuses, my shots just weren't falling. I wasn't taking 'man shots', I was trying to draw the foul and it didn't work. I don't know if it was the hand hurting or what Belmont was doing but you have to give them credit. My shot didn't fall for whatever reason," Jones said. "My hand, my legs were cramping and I told coach to leave me in because we were short and the team needed me. It was fast paced and tough. They are a good mid-major a lot like us that when you aren't at your best they make you pay. I don't want to make excuses for how I played today, the shots just didn't fall."
Jones still provided 15 points and nine rebounds to cap a strong junior season that landed him on the All-NEC second team.
This post was edited on 3/22 12:59 PM by Andrew_Chiappazzi
