MOON TOWNSHIP – The RMU Colonials fended off the New Orleans Privateers to sweep the Urban-Bennett Invitational and go 3-0 over the weekend and improve to 4-2 overall.
Over the weekend, the Colonials won all three games they played, including wins against Stonehill, Lindenwood, and tonight’s win against New Orleans. The Privateers won on Thursday vs. Lindenwood before dropping their next two against Stonehill and RMU.
In the first half, RMU pulled ahead 35-27 despite both teams shooting poorly from the field (RMU 33% and UNO 31.8%). Amarion Dickerson’s defensive impact was felt, although not on the statsheet. His +12 +/- was the Colonials’ best in the first period.
Alvaro Folgueiras was a monster in the paint in the first half, putting up 9 points and 9 rebounds in the opening period.
DJ Smith, once again starting at point guard in place of the injured Kam Woods, shot 66% from the field and went 2-for-3 on threes in the first half. He also notched a steal against the Privateers.
On the other side, the New Orleans Privateers played a tough half defensively. They switched over to a 1-3-1 zone near the end of the half in order to exploit the Colonials’ shooting woes and force them to take threes. This strategy worked in the first, with the Privateers forcing 9 turnovers in the opening frame, including 5 by DJ Smith.
On the offensive side, guard James White put up 12 points on 4/8 shooting, 2/4 from three, and 2/2 from the line. White also grabbed 4 rebounds and stole the ball from the Colonials twice.
In the second half, the Privateers made the game close, including cutting the lead to 2 at a few occasions.
However, they were never able to take the lead.
Scoring wise, the Colonials’ Alvaro Folgueiras and DJ Smith both scored above 10 points, and of the six players who took at least one shot in the second frame, five of them shot above 50%.
Overall, RMU outscored, out-assisted, and out-rebounded UNO in order to go home with the 73-62 win.
“It wasn’t the most appeasing game anyone’s ever watched,” stated head coach Andy Toole. “But the ability to grind through it, the ability to get some stops, and make some timely shots when necessary are signs that we’re building to continue being successful.”
RMU will continue their season at Cornell in Ithaca, NY on Thursday, November 21st, before returning home against Canisius on Wednesday, Nov. 27th. Tip off on Thursday is scheduled for 6 p.m.
