Improved defense pleases coach
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In its past two games, Robert Morris has had to make second-half comebacks on the road to walk away with victories.
Colonials coach Andy Toole does not want to make that a habit.
Against Mount St. Mary's, the Colonials trailed, 32-19, with 3:34 to go in the first half. Against Saint Francis, they faced a 35-24 deficit with 2:19 left before halftime.
The one constant when the Colonials (18-8, 9-4 NEC) have struggled this season has been inconsistent defensive intensity. Despite the need for rallies in the past two games, Toole said he saw some positives Wednesday in the late stages against Saint Francis.
- Matchup: Saint Francis (5-19, 4-9 NEC) at Robert Morris (18-8, 9-4), 7 p.m. today, Sewall Center.
- Radio, Internet: WPIT-AM (730), rmucolonials.com.
- Robert Morris: Beat Saint Francis, 78-74, Wednesday in the first of two-game NEC "Rivalry Week" series this week. ... Sophomore Mike McFadden and freshman Lucky Jones tied for team lead with 14 points against the Red Flash. ... Have won 13 of the past 14 games against Saint Francis. ... Leading scorer Velton Jones (16.4 points per game) has averaged just nine points per game in the past three games.
- Saint Francis: Sophomore F Scott Eatherton leads Red Flash in scoring (14.8 points) and rebounding (7.1) and NEC in field-goal percentage (.627). He scored 10 Wednesday as junior G Anthony Ervin led the Red Flash with 20.
- Hidden stat: Robert Morris is averaging 34 points per game in the paint in its past three contests. Over the past five years, the Colonials are 45-12 when scoring at least 30 such points.
"We had a couple of defensive breakdowns early, but, overall, I thought our energy was good defensively," Toole said. "I thought there were stretches where we did some good things defensively and played well defensively."
First Published February 11, 2012 12:00 am
