Robert Morris secured a crucial 72-66 win over Youngstown State at the Beeghly Center, fueled by DeSean Goode's impressive 24-point, 7-rebound outing. The Colonials' victory marked a significant conference win, as they improved to 16-10 on the season. Youngstown State, meanwhile, fell to 12-13, suffering a setback in their pursuit of a stronger tournament resume.
DeSean Goode's 24 Points Mark His 10th 20-Point Performance of the Season
The game got off to a blistering start, with Robert Morris racing out to a 41-30 halftime lead. The Colonials' offense was clicking on all cylinders, with Goode and Ryan Prather Jr. leading the charge. Prather Jr. chipped in 16 points and 6 assists, providing a spark on both ends of the floor. Youngstown State's Cris Carroll kept his team within striking distance, scoring 20 points to pace the Penguins.
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In the second half, Youngstown State mounted a comeback, outscoring Robert Morris 36-31. However, the Colonials' first-half cushion proved insurmountable, as they held on for the 6-point win. Carroll's efforts were supplemented by Bryson Dawkins' 16 points and 5 rebounds, as well as Tae Blackshear's 12 points. Despite these contributions, the Penguins ultimately fell short.
Notably, CHD Scout's pre-game prediction had Youngstown State emerging victorious by 1.7 points, with a predicted score of 77-75. However, Robert Morris had other plans, outperforming expectations and securing a vital conference win.
This result carries real consequences for both teams' tournament chances. For Robert Morris, the win represents a Quad 3 victory, bolstering their resume as they seek to strengthen their position. Conversely, the loss marks a Quad 4 defeat for Youngstown State, which may hinder their postseason aspirations. With the Colonials' net ranking currently sitting at 192, they want to build on this momentum and continue to climb the rankings.