Game recap: I think we have an NEC POY front-runner

Robert Morris snapped a three game losing streak and grabbed their first conference win with a 79-70 victory over Sacred Heart. RMU loses by double digits if superhuman Karvel Anderson doesn’t go for a career high 36 points.

Cook, Vel, cook. (p/c NBC).

It was a slow start for the Colonials. The team looked like it was sleepwalking through the first ten minutes or so; the off ball movement was lacking and Sacred Heart was getting a lot of second chance opportunities. RMU stayed in it by feeding the ball to Karvel Anderson and Lucky Jones.

RMU ended the half on a nice run. They started dominating by simply picking up the energy level. David Appolon came in, got some offensive rebounds, and defended well. The zone D started forcing a lot of turnovers, including back to back possessions where Aaron Tate and Stephan Hawkins used active hands to get steals. Tate also hit a 20 foot corner jump shot, which blew my mind.

RMU looked like they were going to blow this one open in the second half but give credit to Sacred Heart for never quitting. They DOMINATED the glass. RMU looked like they had no interest in rebounding. All of the sudden this was a two point game with four minutes left.

Karvel Anderson had been playing great all game but put his stamp on things at the end, scoring off a filthy move to the bucket, then a DEEP three with 50 seconds remaining to put the lead at seven. Some thoughts:

-Karvel Anderson: 36 points (15-19, 6-7), 5 rebounds, 3 steals. That was the most impressive performance I’ve ever seen. Without him, RMU losses. By a lot.

-Mike McFadden was a go today but did not move well at all. He worked a lot more with his back to the basket, which is good, but was just out of control. He finished with five points and five rebounds.

-Biggest complaint with the defense: Sacred Heart, especially late in the game, got into the high post and penetrated wayyyyyyy to easy.

-Britton Lee played today! Kavon Stewart has been struggling as of late so Toole went with Lee as his first guard off the bench. Lee didn’t do anything of note, but it was an interesting tactic.

-I really dislike any lineup with David Appolon and Aaron Tate playing at the same time, especially when Appolon is the two guard. It feels like when that unit scores, it’s by accident.

-Overall, a win is a win but keep perspective: RMU let a bottom-feeder NEC school stay in a game that should not have been close. RMU, outside of Karvel Anderson and David Appolon at times, looked disinterested. Bryant is going to be a tough task Saturday.

--Chris Cappella

--@C_Cappella