Immediately after hurdling the Charles L. Sewall Center’s courtside seats in the final seconds of Robert Morris’ three point loss to Bryant on Jan. 31, Lucky Jones was examined by physicians for an injury sustained as a result of a head first dive into the bleachers while attempting to save a ball from caroming out of bounds.

And since he was displaying concussion-like symptoms two days later, Andy Toole was informed that his squad’s leading rebounder would be unable to play against Long Island Brooklyn in RMU’s following contest.

So Jones took a seat on the Robert Morris bench during a deflating 72-65 loss.

“We would never put someone in jeopardy if we didn’t feel like they were ready to go. I think even by the time Thursday came around he was really back to himself, especially the way he was so vocal on the bench, I think that’s the Lucky that we know,” said Toole, RMU’s fifth year head coach.

Since it wasn’t Jones’ first concussion, suffering a similar injury at St. Anthony’s High School in Newark, New Jersey, the six-foot-six forward was anxious to get back onto the court as soon as possible.

“I wasn’t worried, just blessed that it wasn’t a head injury as bad as I thought it was,” he said. “When it first happened it was like ‘Alright, just got to get some rest.’”

Toole believes that although the Colonials were forced to play without Jones last Thursday, he helped the program despite not being on the floor.

“Obviously not having him hurts. … He was on the bench talking to his teammates, trying to encourage guys to defend better and talking about difference situations that were occurring. He was great in the timeouts,” said Toole. “With six games remaining in his career, I think he’s starting to feel that urgency that you need to feel as a senior.”

Even though he is entering the home-stretch of his collegiate career and realizes that his remaining time at RMU is limited, Jones knows exactly what he has to do if he wants to prolong the season until mid-March.

“These last six games before the [Northeast Conference] Tournament I’m just trying to raise the level. I feel great, I’m playing great, my confidence is high right now, so I’m just going out there living up to my expectations,” he said. “ … Right now it’s just a push to let everyone know that we’re still one of, if not the top teams in the hunt and in order for me to do what I want to do after this, I have to start stepping up and making some huge contributions.”