Game 10 recap: shooting 63 percent from the field and still losing sucks

Robert Morris dropped their fifth straight to Toledo by a score of 80-77. This will probably be the best game RMU has offensively, which makes the loss that much more frustrating. RMU shot 63.3 percent from the field and 71.4 percent from three. Sadly enough, RMU went 5-12 from the free throw line, including a big miss from Anthony Myers-Pate on the front end of a 1-and-1 late in the second half and a miss from Karvel Anderson on another front end with one second left down three.

This was a generally fun game to watch. Toledo is one of the best offensive teams in the country and has a deep bench. RMU had a 41-37 lead at half and held the Rockets to well below their season averages in shooting percentages. The second half went back and forth with no lead extending past six points. RMU had the ball down three with 12 seconds left but was unable to tie it up. Some quick thoughts:

-Karvel Anderson and Lucky Jones were simply amazing, missing only four shots and scoring 48 points combined. Both had their moments; Karvel nailed back-to-back contested three’s late in the second half and Lucky had some realllllllly tough drives to the bucket with nice finishes. Not much more to add on that, end… It’s just knda the expectation with those two guys now.

-RMU played a 2-3 zone the entire game. Toole actually said postgame the plan was to play a 3/4 press but the guys “must have forgot” to do so seven of the first nine possessions. I thought the zone went pretty well or at the very least slowed down the game which is always good against Toledo.

RMU is struggling so much on D that it was nice to just see anything that moderately worked. It’ll be interesting to see if this is something that sticks.

-Toole’s post game press conference was equal parts fascinating/truthful/insightful/angry. He talked a lot about his bench play, eventually summing it up to this: there’s no one to trust outside of Kavon Stewart. Another great point he made: Stephan Hawkins, Aaron Tate, Charles Oliver, Desjuan Newton, and David Appolon totaled for zero points, assists, blocks, and steals and had one assist and two turnovers. I mean… it speaks for itself how bad it is.

-RMU once again was awful from the free throw line, a discrepancy that’s losing them games. In the first half, Toledo wasn’t in the bonus until under a minute but in the second half they were in it at around the 7:00 mark. Toledo only shot 22 free throws but made 19. RMU might as well have everyone shoot free throws left handed at this point, as they went 5-12.

There’s probably more to add but this is all I have for now. Feel free to leave some thoughts of your own.

--Chris Cappella

--@C_Cappella