In this afternoon’s game between the visiting Robert Morris Colonials (1-8) and Columbia Lions (7-5), the Colonials continued to show the growing pains of a young team. Columbia took advantage of open shots, with a barrage of three pointers coming from Maodo Lo who teed off for 24 points from deep.
Bobby Mo’s Rodney Pryor finished the game with 27 points, going 8 for 16 from the field. Unable to take advantage of a late game comeback, Robert Morris dropped its third straight game losing the Lions, 78-71.
Bobby Mo vs Lo
Lo, a Berlin born senior, was often found open, but more impressively knocked down shots that capture why his name is seet at the top of the list in school history regarding three points statistics. The Colonials had hands in his face, but Lo dominated throughout the entire game.
Robert Morris’ defense had no answer for the six foot three inch forward who found himself open behind the arc on a number of occasions. Failing to stay with their assignment, the Colonials struggled to keep the elusive Lo from scoring. Lo was able to create separation from a sliding Bobby Mo defense, and wiggle himself open.
Inefficient Offense
Aside from Pryor, the offense continued to struggle shooting the ball and found themselves down by 10 at the half, 37-27. Making only nine out of 24 attempts in the first half Robert Morris failed to score for over four minutes in the middle of the first half.
Last season the Colonials heavily relied on nailing shots from three point land. Today, the Colonials only collected four threes, two each half. The young players have continued to have trouble in adjusting to the speed of the game, which has led to ill-advised shots and bad decision making.
Late Game Surge
Robert Morris trailed for all but the first few minutes of the game, but did not allow the Lions to reach out too far ahead. After extending their biggest lead of 13 later in the first, Columbia looked poised to take complete control of the game. The second half continued smoothly as they finished the game a tick under shooting 45 percent from the field.
Staying within a manageable deficit heading into the last few minutes of the game, the Colonials battled back coming within a possession to tie the game. Despite their best efforts, the offense failed to make key shots, and allowed the Lions to squeak by, 78-71.
Coach Said It
Coach Andy Toole had this to say following today’s game at Columbia: “I’m proud of our guys for fighting back, but it’s the same story. We fall behind by double digits early and then fight back.”
The frustration for the Colonials is beginning to build. The same issues begin to popup at the most inopportune times during over the past handful of games. Toole would continue saying “Each decision our guys make on the court is critical in getting a stop or doing something positive offensively.”
What’s Next?
Robert Morris will try and snap their three game losing streak this Thursday, December 17 at home against the Leigh Mountain Hawks (1-7) at 7p.m.
