Robert Morris yesterday finished the regular season with a victory in spite of itself.
"Our biggest problem was throwing the ball to our own guys," coach Mike Rice said after the Colonials won at Long Island, 71-68.
Robert Morris was victorious despite making 24 turnovers -- 17 in the first half -- and shooting 41 percent.
Rice added, "This one certainly isn't going to the Basketball Hall of Fame in Springfield [Mass.]."
- Game: Robert Morris vs. No. 8 seed in NEC quarterfinal game.
- When: TBA, Thursday.
- Where: Sewall Center.
But it will go into the Colonials' record books as the team's program-record 25th win of the season.
It was also a program-record 13th consecutive victory and a program-record 16th win in 18 Northeast Conference games.
The Colonials won despite:
Senior forward A.J. Jackson making only 4 of 16 field-goal attempts.
Senior guard Tony Lee committing nine turnovers.
Holding a 66-57 lead with 1:01 left and then having to get two free throws from sophomore Jimmy Langhurst with 6.6 seconds remaining.
And having to survive a last-second 3-point attempt by Long Island sophomore Jaytornah Wisseh that fell short.
The Colonials secured the regular-season championship and the top seed for the NEC tournament with their win at Sacred Heart Thursday night.
That said, the unfocused performance yesterday wasn't a surprise.
"Our intensity wasn't as intense," Rice said.
"I knew this game was going to be like pulling teeth, but I thought it would be like pulling teeth on defense."
The Colonials startled their coach by holding the Blackbirds (15-14, 7-11) to an abysmal 29 percent shooting from the field (18 of 62).
"A tremendous defensive effort," Rice said.
"It was hard for me to really get on them afterward."
Langhurst and Jeremy Chappell had 13 points each to lead the Robert Morris.
Lee had 12 points and 9 rebounds, while Jackson and reserve Mezie Nwigwe each had 11 points.
Wisseh led the Blackbirds with 21 points.
Wisseh went 5 of 17 from the field but converted 11 of 12 of his free throw attempts.
Robert Morris will begin play in the NEC tournament Thursday night at the Sewall Center against Monmouth.
First Published: March 2, 2008, 5:00 a.m.
