Purdue Fort Wayne pulled off a stunning upset on the road, taking down Robert Morris 79-74 at the UPMC Events Center. The Mastodons, ranked 210th in the net rankings, handed the 191st-ranked Colonials a devastating loss, one that will surely have real consequences for their tournament chances. This was a Quadrant 4 loss for Robert Morris, a game they were expected to win, and it will be a tough pill to swallow.
The Mastodons came out hot, building a six-point lead by halftime with a 43-37 advantage. Corey Hadnot II was instrumental in the first-half surge, scoring 10 of his 17 points in the opening period. Robert Morris' Ryan Prather Jr. did his best to keep the Colonials in the game, pouring in 12 of his 20 points in the first half. Despite Prather's efforts, Purdue Fort Wayne's balanced attack and stout defense allowed them to maintain their lead.
In the second half, Robert Morris made a push to get back in the game, but Purdue Fort Wayne's offense continued to click. Maximus Nelson and Mikale Stevenson chipped in with 15 points each, helping the Mastodons to maintain their advantage. The Colonials' DeSean Goode had a strong all-around game, scoring 14 points and grabbing 8 rebounds, but it wasn't enough to overcome the Mastodons' onslaught.
The loss is a significant setback for Robert Morris, who were looking to build momentum heading into the second half of the season. Instead, they'll have to regroup and try to bounce back from this disappointing defeat. For Purdue Fort Wayne, the win is a huge boost to their resume, as it counts as a Quadrant 3 victory. The Mastodons want to build on this momentum as they continue their season.
It's worth noting that this game was not expected to be particularly close, with Robert Morris entering as the favorite. However, Purdue Fort Wayne had other plans, and their upset victory will send shockwaves through the college basketball world. The Mastodons' ability to go on the road and take down a team ranked higher than them in the net rankings is a reflection of their strength and resilience.
As the season wears on, this win will look more and more impressive on Purdue Fort Wayne's resume. The Mastodons have now improved to 13-8 on the season, and their tournament chances are starting to look more promising. On the other hand, Robert Morris will have to hope that this loss doesn't come back to haunt them when Selection Sunday rolls around. For now, the Colonials will have to lick their wounds and try to move forward from this tough defeat. The loss will undoubtedly have a significant impact on Robert Morris' tournament chances, and they'll need to regroup quickly to get back on track.