MOON TOWNSHIP– The Robert Morris women’s basketball team, a program that was projected to finish dead last, has clinched a top 5 seed in the Horizon League Tournament.
The Colonials blew out Youngstown State 76-53 on Senior Night Wednesday
Stephanie Theodosakas, Raissa Nsabua, Isys Grady, Mya Murray, Naomi Barnwell, Rebecca Dwomoh, Alejandra Mastral, Simone Morris and Danielle Vuletich were all honored on an emotional Senior Day,
“I have not let it hit me yet,” head coach Chandler McCabe said. “If I did, I probably would be crying. These kids mean a lot to me. Every single one of them. I’ve only been able to coach them for one season. And the fact that they bought into this program, bought it to me, the staff, and this university.”
As for the game, the Colonials opened on a hot start from 3-point range, especially in the second quarter. RMU only led by three after the first quarter. However, everything started to click once the second quarter began.
Sharpshooting junior Katelyn Chomko caught fire again after her 15-point performance in Cleveland. She went 4-for-4 from beyond the arc in the quarter, sparking a 18-2 run to blow the game open.
The energy was palpable in the UPMC Events Center, from the crowd to the bench, and even to the coaching staff.
“ It’s so rewarding,” McCabe said. “ I was fist bumping and making faces. It’s so much fun. They put their life, their blood, sweat, tears, they dedicate so much to this team, and this school, and this university and to be able for it to kind of come to fruition in the court in front of people. Why do we do our job if we can’t celebrate?”
Chomko finished with 15 points on 5-9 from beyond the arc.
Entering Wednesday, the Colonials were worst in the Horizon League in shooting beyond the arc. They hit 10 out of 22. The Penguins were best in HL in defending their opponents beyond the arc.
The Colonials led by as many as 25.
Noa Givon led the game with 20 points, tying a season-high. Her other 20-point night was against the Penguins on Jan. 18. She also had season-high 10 rebounds for her first double-double this season.
Although Givon’s hometown of Ra’anana, Israel is about 6,000 miles away, she has had their most bitter rival’s number despite that she may not know who she is playing geographically.
“She knows exactly who we’re playing, but she doesn’t get that they’re an hour away. She’s from however long away.” McCabe said. “But, my big thing for Noa is now to be consistent. She’s going to be an integral part of our success and we’re trying to make her run in this tournament. I know she will continue to do it.”
The Colonials have one more game on the road against Wright State and have an opportunity to lock up home court advantage, but Coach McCabe is only looking the next game and nothing more.
“ At the end of the day, the next game’s the most important game on schedule, and I have been saying that since Point Park,” McCabe said. “Sometimes ignorance is bliss, so the less they know, the better. If we continue to do that, good things are going to happen.”
Tip off against the Raiders will be on Saturday at 7 p.m.
