Robert Morris coach Mike Rice capped off last night's 78-75 victory against Morgan State with a chest bump and a dance.

"I've never seen that before," said senior forward Rob Robinson.

Few people have seen such expressions of glee from Rice, a coach more known for intense outbursts directed at his own players or officials.

Two weeks ago, Rice publicly criticized Robinson and the Colonials' senior class for their lack of leadership. But that approach, and others like it, has done little to motivate his team this season.

So, Rice said he talked with his assistant coaches and decided that, for this team anyway, honey might work a little better than vinegar

"It's probably me understanding this team better," Rice said. "In the past I would probably drive this team a little better."

Rice calls it his "lighter, softer side."

Whatever it is, it's working at the right time. Last night's win against Morgan State was the Colonials' third in a row as they enter a long stretch of Northeast Conference games.

"We're not playing our best ball," said freshman guard Karon Abraham, "but we're playing our better ball."

Last night, Rice got his best performance from Robinson, who two weeks ago was suspended for conduct detrimental to the team.

Robinson scored 23 points -- five in the last minute -- to lead the Colonials to a victory against Morgan State, a team talented enough to beat Arkansas on the road and finish within single digits of powerhouse Louisville.

The Colonials shot 53.1 percent from the field and limited Morgan State star Reggie Holmes, who entered the game as the second leading scorer in NCAA Division I (24.8 points per game), to 11 points. He was 3 of 15 from the field.

Rice credited Mezie Nwigwe, a senior, with Holmes' rough night. "[Nwigwe] was disciplined," Rice said.

Nwigwe said that control was key to containing the Bears' star. Holmes makes a lot of defenders miss off the dribble, forcing them to lean one way while he goes another, but Nwigwe maintained his composure and made sure most of Holmes' shots were contested.

That defense kept the Colonials close in the first half.

Holmes scored four first-half points and was 1 of 9 shooting from the field.

Robert Morris committed four turnovers through the first 13 minutes but turned the ball over seven times in the last seven minutes, allowing the Bears to close the first half on a 9-0 run and with a 38-28 lead.

Robert Morris' top scorer entering last night's game, Abraham, scored two points in the first half, spending part of it with a trainer after tangling feet with a Morgan State player.

Robert Morris chipped away at the Bears' lead, eventually tying the score, 61-61, with 5:47 remaining.

The score stayed close for the rest of the second half, and Morgan State built a one-point advantage with a minute remaining.

Robinson made a hook shot with 42.5 seconds left and sank a layup and a free throw with 12.5 left to give the Colonials an insurmountable four-point lead.

The Colonials play again Thursday at Long Island State, their first NEC game since Dec. 5 and their first one on the road.

Looking for more from the Post-Gazette? Join PG+, our members-only web site. You'll get exclusive sports content, opinion, financial information, discounts from retailers and restaurants, and more. Our introduction to PG+ gives you all the details.