Colonials get by with less than their best

The Robert Morris men’s basketball team didn’t play its best game Thursday. On this night, against this opponent, the Colonials didn’t need their best. Or even pretty good, for that matter.

Robert Morris led from start to finish, but never by more than 11 points, and outlasted the two-win team from Central Connecticut State, 74-67, at Sewall Center. The Colonials were in control throughout the game but didn’t put the Blue Devils away until sophomore guard Matty McConnell stole the ball in the defensive zone and the last few seconds ticked off the clock.

“I know it was ugly, but we needed this,” said senior guard Kavon Stewart, who had 21 points, 6 assists, 5 rebounds and 2 steals. He committed six of the Colonials’ 14 turnovers.

It was Central Connecticut State’s 13th consecutive loss. They are 2-16 this season — with wins against Hartford and Maine — and 0-7 in Northeast Conference play. Winless, too, since Nov. 30.

The Blue Devils turned the ball over 20 times. Robert Morris scored 25 points off turnovers.

Robert Morris (7-13, 3-4) was without leading scorer Isaiah Still and senior forward Billy Giles. Head coach Andy Toole did not disclose specifics of the injuries, saying it was “minor stuff” the staff had been monitoring, and said both players are “day to day.”

The Colonials were 7 of 16 from 3-point range. None were bigger than the two 3pointers McConnell splashed in the last 3:17 of the game. McConnell finished with 12 points.

Earlier Thursday, the university announced it will build a new basketball and volleyball arena, and also that Toole signed a oneyear contract extension that will keep him at Robert Morris through 2020-21.

“I should probably give the contract extension back after what you just watched down there,” Toole joked after the game. “I don’t know if the ink dried on that thing. I’ve got to go check. Whew. Some of that was ugly, huh?”