The Robert Morris women’s basketball team will make its home debut tonight at the Charles L. Sewall Center against La Salle. They will be without forwards Cassie Oursler and Johnnah Johnson.

Per the RMU Athletics sports information department, Oursler and Johnson requested their release and have left the team. They are no longer on the team’s official roster.

The situation cites a lot of confusion, considering both players were primed for large roles this season.

Oursler started 25 games last year at forward as a freshman, averaging 7.4 points and five rebounds. She was selected to the Northeast Conference All-Rookie team.

“It’s going to be a challenge for Cassie this year because Artemis [Spanou] really set her up a lot. Artemis would get doubled and Cassie would be open and dive from the high post,” said head coach Sal Buscaglia prior to the season. “Now [Cassie] has to learn to create for herself. She’s got to learn counter moves and learn the game a little bit more. Last year was a learning year playing Division I basketball, the second year is going to be another learning point from here because she’ll have do it all.”

Johnson was a part of Buscaglia’s highly-touted 2014 recruiting class. She had a very successful career at The Hun Preparatory School in New Jersey, the same high school as junior guard Ashley Ravelli.

The reason for both players’ departure is unknown at this point. The Colonials tip off tonight at 7 p.m.