Dec. 22, 2003

Box Score

Moon Township, PA - The Robert Morris Colonials built a large lead, then withstood a furious Maryland Eastern Shore rally in the second half hold on for a 70-63 win Sunday at the Sewall Center. The loss dropped the Hawks to 0-3 on the season.

The Colonials (3-4) led by eight at halftime, and then by as many as 15 in the second half at 52-37 with 11:38 remaining. UMES then went on a 16-4 run in the next 8:05, capped by a three-pointer by Aaron Wellington that cut the deficit to 56-53 with 3:33 left in the game.

After the teams then traded buckets, Robert Morris took command once again on a four-point possesion. Maurice Carter made the first of two free throws to put RMU up by 4, but then missed the second. Senior Chaz McCrommon grabbed the rebound and hit a tough putback while he was fouled by Jason McKinnon. The insuing three-point play made the score 62-55 with 2:15 left, and UMES got no closer than five points the rest of the way.

Robert Morris took command early, scoring the first seven points of the game and building a lead as large as 13 in the first half. Wellington kept the Hawks in the game with 13 first-half points off the bench, while Tee Trotter hit a three as the half expired to cut the lead to 35-27.

UMES crept within six at 39-33 early in the second half, but Aaron Thomas hit two big three-pointers for the Colonials to spark a 13-4 spurt that gave Robert Morris its largest lead.

McCrommon led RMU with 18 points on 7-9 shooting, while Thomas chipped in 15 points and nine rebounds. Wellington scored a game-high 22 (7-16 FG's) to pace UMES, while Trotter added 15 on 7-19 from the field. McKinnon recorded his first D-I double-double with 11 points and 11 rebounds (seven offensive).

The Hawks return to action Saturday against Portland State at 4:00 pm. It will be the home opener for UMES, which has not played at the Hytche Center since a November 14th exhibition contest. Tickets are available by calling the Hawks athletic office at (410) 651-6496.