Women's Basketball Comeback Falls Short At Robert Morris Monday Night

The Central Connecticut women's basketball team trailed by 19 points halfway through the third quarter on Monday night at Robert Morris before mounting an improbable comeback to get within five late in the fourth quarter. However, the Colonials closed the game on a 12-0 run to record a 72-55 victory and drop the Blue Devils to 9-14 overall and 6-6 in NEC action this year.

Senior Kayla Miller had a team-high 16 points to pace the Blue Devils, including 12 in the second half to fuel the comeback. She also added a game-high nine rebounds in the loss. Junior Aleah Epps chipped in with 10 points to join Miller in double-figures.

Robert Morris (14-9, 8-4 NEC) used a seven point possession with six seconds left before halftime to take a 36-23 lead over the Blue Devils into the locker rooms. Ashley Ravelli drained a three pointer off a screen on the left wing and the RMU screener was fouled on the play giving the Colonials two ensuing free throw attempts as the Blue Devils were over the limit. A technical foul added two more free throw attempts on top and RMU hit all four to complete the seven point swing and take the 13-point lead into the break.

The Colonials carried the momentum over into the second half and opened the third quarter with a 12-6 run to take their largest lead of the game, 48-29, with 4:17 remaining in the third quarter. Anna Niki Stamolamprou had six points to power the run for Robert Morris.

The Blue Devils would not go down without a fight though and closed the third period on a 15-4 run of their own to get within 52-44 heading into the final period. Freshman Kiana Patterson hit two clutch three's during the run, including one from just beyond half court to beat the third quarter buzzer.

The shot sparked the Blue Devils heading into the fourth quarter and they continued to chip away at the Colonials lead getting within five, 56-51, with 6:39 to play after back-to-back layups from Miller and sophomore Camden Musgrave. RMU extended the lead back to 60-51, but CCSU would make one last charge and get within five again at the 4:10 mark after four straight Blue Devil free throws.

That would be as close as Central would come though in the second half as the comeback was halted by six straight points by RMU's Jocelynne Jones to push the Colonials lead back into double digits. They would go on to hit six-of-eight free throw attempts in the final minute of play to close the game on a 12-0 run and held the Blue Devils scoreless for the final 4:10 of regulation for the 72-55 victory.

Central Connecticut shot 32.2% (19-59) from the floor in the game and now drops to 2-14 on the season when they shoot below 40.0% from the field. Miller had a team-high 16 points on six-of-11 shooting from the floor and she hit four-of-six attempts from the chalk. She also pulled down a game-high nine rebounds.

Stamolamprou powered the Colonials with a game-high 20 points as Robert Morris shot 50.0% (23-46) from the field in the win, including 36.4% (4-11) from distance. Ravelli was also in double-figures with 11. RMU out-rebounded CCSU 36-32 as Stamolamprou and Mikalah Mulrain each had seven to pace the Colonials.

The game saw 52 fouls and 48 combined free throws attempted. Central was 70.0% (14-20) from the free throw line and Robert Morris hit for 78.6% (22-28) from the charity stripe.

The CCSU women's basketball team will be back in action next on Saturday, Feb. 13 as they travel to Fairfield, CT to take on instate and NEC rival Sacred Heart. Tip-off between the Blue Devils and Pioneers is scheduled for 1 p.m. in the front end of a NEC doubleheader with the CCSU and SHU men's teams to follow. All of the action for both games can be seen live, for free, on NECFrontRow.com.