Robert Morris Catches Fire in Second Half: Defeats Green Bay to Begin Final Home Stand
February 17, 2023
Robert Morris (12-15, 7-9 Horizon) defeated Green Bay (3-24, 2-14) by a score of 71-56 to open their final homestand of the season.
The Colonials led the Phoenix 17-10 at the 11:12 mark in the first half. However, Green Bay would go on 12-5 run to tie the game, 22-22, with just 3:22 remaining in the half.
The matchup appeared to be a highly competitive one headed into the half, as Robert Morris led by just one.
Scoring was well spread out for both sides, as Enoch Cheeks led all scorers with eight points going into the break.
The Colonials faced a tough situation just 11 seconds into the second half, as Kahliel Spear picked up a foul. Joining Stephaun Walker with three fouls.
When asked how he was able to manage his lineup head coach Andy Toole said,
“I thought we got some good contributions, like Chris Ford… Just trying to get it by committee was really key.”
The Phoenix remained highly competitive through the first seven minutes of the second half. As Zae Blake made a layup cutting the Colonials’ lead to just three with 13:02 remaining.
After that point however, Robert Morris took control and went on a 28-16 run to close out the game, winning by a final score of 71-56.
“We just have to continue to play, continue to follow our formula,” Toole stated. “I felt like we had to do a better job in the second half than we did in the first of guarding the basketball and I think we did a good job of that… We have got to continue to control what we can control and that was on the defensive side. I thought when we were able to string some stops together that led to us being able to get some easy baskets and build a lead.”
The Colonials had more success in the second half moving the ball. Toole attributed to believing in the team to push the team through a tough shooting performance in the first half,
“Just continuing to trust and move the ball offensively, I thought we took some good shots and you can’t be frustrated when they don’t go in because that happens in a game.”
The Colonials offense saw four players reach double digits. Enoch Cheeks led the team with a game high 18 points. Michael Green III finished with 13, Kahliel Spear with 12, and Jackson Last with 10.
Toole was pleased with the team’s ability to move the ball at an impressive clip,
“That’s what we promote every day. We want guys trusting each other, moving the basketball, trying to find the highest percentage shots, trying to be as efficient as we can be. Some days it’ll be one guys opportunity, the next day it might be another. Today it was a number of guys had opportunity to make the right play or make the shot.”
Continuing to play team basketball will be important for Robert Morris, as they are set to play the top two seeds in the Horizon in two of their final three matchups.
The Colonials are back in action on Saturday as they host Milwaukee at 7 p.m.