Purdue FW defeats Robert Morris 74-79
Purdue FW Edges Robert Morris in Thrilling Conference Showdown
The UPMC Events Center was electric last night as the Purdue FW Boilermakers (Away) pulled off a 79-74 victory over the Robert Morris Colonials (Home), a closely contested conference game that will be remembered for its dramatic finish.
At halftime, it seemed as though the away team's lead would prove insurmountable, with Purdue FW up 43-37. However, Robert Morris refused to back down, fighting back to narrow the gap to just five points heading into the final 20 minutes. The intensity level remained high throughout the second half, with both teams displaying tenacious defense and stifling offense.
The largest lead of the game belonged to Purdue FW at one point, as they took a 14-point advantage with 5:15 remaining in regulation. Robert Morris fought back with a 6-0 run, cutting the deficit down to just eight points with 2:30 left on the clock.
Robert Morris's Ryan Prather Jr. (20 pts, 3-12 3PT) was the Colonials' top scorer, while DeSean Goode (8 reb, 14 pts, 2 ast) led in rebounding and assists. Meanwhile, Purdue FW's Corey Hadnot II (17 pts, 1-3 3PT) paced the Boilermakers with his scoring output.
The key to Purdue FW's success was its strong shooting performance, particularly from beyond the arc. The away team hit 11 of 24 three-point attempts (46.0%), while Robert Morris struggled to find their range, converting just 11 of 30 three-pointers (37.0%).
Advanced statistics paint an even more nuanced picture of this battle. Purdue FW's eFG% was a respectable 65.7%, with its True Shooting Percentage at 67.5%. Meanwhile, Robert Morris' eFG% fell to 53.2%, while its True Shooting Percentage dipped to 54.9%.
This thrilling conference matchup will be remembered for its dramatic finish and the resilience shown by both teams. The 79-74 victory marks a notable win for Purdue FW in the conference standings, cementing their position among the top contenders.
For Robert Morris, this loss serves as a reminder that consistency is key in the conference schedule. With several critical matchups remaining on the horizon, the Colonials will look to regroup and refocus in preparation for their next challenge.
In the end, it was Purdue FW's balanced performance that proved decisive, with its strong shooting and tenacious defense ultimately proving too much for Robert Morris to overcome.