MOON TOWNSHIP– The Robert Morris women’s basketball team (10-6, 5-0 NEC) will play the final game of their four-game homestand against Sacred Heart (6-9, 3-1 NEC) on Monday, as RMU holds their “Building Bridges Through Basketball” event.

Recapping RMU

The Colonials have started 2020 very strong, as they have not lost a game yet so far in the new decade, all of which have been NEC games. Importantly, in recent games the Colonials have been scoring by committee, with multiple players having strong offensive showings. Junior guard Honoka Ikematsu has broken into the starting lineup, replacing Nina Augustin currently, while junior Irekpitan Ozzy-Momodou’s return from injury has allowed a balance in minutes between herself and Nneka Ezeigbo.

Scouting Sacred Heart

After failing to win a single game in the month of December, the Pioneers rattled off three consecutive wins to begin NEC play in 2020, before dropping their last matchup against Fairleigh Dickinson (6-10, 3-2 NEC). Still, their record has not been indicative of their play as they have faced some very tough opponents such as Penn State (7-10, 1-5 Big Ten), Nebraska (13-4, 3-3 Big Ten) and Yale (10-3).

Players to Watch

Honoka Ikematsu (RMU)

As stated earlier, Ikematsu has really broken out for the Colonials over the past six games. Her minutes have steadily increased since the beginning of the season, and she has claimed a starting role for the past five games. In five of her last seven games, she has scored nine or more points, including a 15-point showing against Norfolk State (10-7, 4-0 MEAC).

Isabella Posset (RMU)

Posset has contributed double-digit point totals and two or more assists in four of her last five games during NEC play. The sophomore has cooled off slightly versus her gaudy numbers near the beginning of the year, but she hopes to continue this current hot streak for the rest of the season.

Adrianne Hagood (Sacred Heart)

A junior guard from Washington D.C., Hagood has been a force this season for the Pioneers. Averaging 15.9 points per game, Hagood has only failed to produce double-digit points a mere three times this season and has scored over 20 points four times. Sacred Heart’s offense runs through her, so if the Colonials can shut her down they will be in very good shape.

Prediction

The Colonials will aim to stay perfect in 2020 and in the NEC, and Sacred Heart doesn’t look like the time that can stop them. Unless Hagood plays an immense game, the Pioneers have little around her to follow up on her good play. The Colonials should take this one, 73-62.