Physical RMU bounces Dukes
Lewis, Smith and [Rene] Castro-Caneddy and make them shoot low percentages. We were able to accomplish that and I think that’s the reason wewere able to get the win.”
TheColonials led by three at the half and a layup and free throw by Matty McConnell later gave them a sevenpoint lead. Freshman Eric Williams Jr. hit a 3-pointer to make it 41-37 with 15:47 to play. Williams hit another 3 to retake the lead at 42-41 and a layup by Smith gave Duquesne a 48-47 lead with a little more than eight minutesto play before the Dukes hita drought.
Robert Morris took a 5550 lead with a layup by Koby Thomas and Duquesne hadn’t made a field goal in more than six minutes when a jump shot by Leondre Washington made it 58- 52 with 2:37 to play. With 56 seconds left, CastroCaneddy made a 3-pointer, narrowing the Dukes’ deficit to 61-56, but Duquesne had too much ground to cover and couldn’t get shots to fall in the final minute.
“We didn’t have much juice when it mattered and we made no plays. We got tired. Give them credit, though. They traveled across the country and had more energy than we did,” Dambrot said, referring to Robert Morris’65-53 loss Wednesday at San Diego. “Now, they had more guys than we did. But overall, we knew what were getting into, we just didn’t playwell enough to win.”
McConnell guarded Lewis, who was held scoreless, for most of the game, and led the Colonials with 13 points, along with Petteway, who had 13 points and 14 rebounds. Castro-Caneddy andWilliams, who had eight rebounds, led Duquesne with18 points each.
Robert Morris now has won seven of the past eight gamesagainst Duquesne.
With five transfers sitting out and only eight players getting minutes, the Dukes tired in the second half and it affected their shooting, according to freshman Tydus Verhoeven. Verhoeven tied a program freshman record with 7 blocks, to go with 12 pointsand 9 rebounds.
Dambrot said postgame that forward Eric James injured his knee, likely his MCL, which would make the rostereven slimmer.
“Only having eight, that factors into it of course, having fewer bodies, but also them rolling guys in and out,”Verhoeven began.
“But we won’t make any excuses,” Dambrot interjected.
“Yes, no excuses there,” Verhoeven said. “We just need to execute down the line and that’s what we need to be better at.”