Colonials to face Cleveland State in Horizon League Quarterfinals

Micahel Green III and Yahel Hill go at it at the Wolstein Center. Photo credit: Tyler Gallo

Michael Deemer
March 3, 2022

It seemed like everything went right for the Colonials Tuesday night as they advanced to the quarterfinals in the Keeps Horizon League Tournament.

Following the 77-73 upset victory over 7-seed Youngstown State, the Colonials will travel to Cleveland State on Thursday night.

Cleveland State beat Robert Morris in both meetings. On Jan. 7, the Vikings squeaked a win out on the road with a 1-point win over the Colonials. Kahliel Spear scored 24 and shot 10 for 13 in the close loss.

Then, on Jan. 23, the Vikings got another close win against the Colonials, 75-68. The Colonials outrebounded Cleveland State 44-27 and led at halftime.

CSU’s D’Moi Hodge had a game-high 22 points for the Vikings. Brandon Stone led RMU with 14 as the team led by eight early in the second half, but the Vikings came out on top at the Wolstein Center.

Hodge has been consistent all year for the Vikings. He leads the team in scoring and can take the ball away with more than two steals a game.

Tre Gomillion is also someone Coach Toole’s team has to keep an eye on, as he shoots the lights out of the ball, carrying over a 50% clip from the floor, including 40% from beyond the arc.

Robert Morris snuck out of other local rival Youngstown State on Tuesday night. Strong defense and a great game from Spear, who recorded 19 points and 12 rebounds, saw the Colonials live to fight another day.

This Colonials team knows how to hang with their opponent; just the results have not gone in their favor. They have a game behind them while the Vikings have not played since Feb. 26.

If they hang around like they have done all year with the Vikings and attack the glass, then there’s a chance we can see the Colonials advance to the semifinals in Indianapolis.

It’s March. Expect the unexpected.