Eagles defeat Embry-Riddle to clench holiday
tournament victory
Junior guard Steve Strong fires a shot during Sunday’s game.
The Robert Morris Eagles won their holiday tournament with a 93-70 victory over nationally ranked Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University (ERAU) on Sunday, Dec. 17 at the Gentile Center in Chicago.
The game was one of the closer ones the Eagles have seen this season. The team looked good at the start, forcing three ERAU turnovers during their first four possessions and taking an early 6-0 lead. However, despite the promising first minutes, the first half of Sunday’s game turned out to be more of a battle than expected, with ERAU trailing by as little as six for the better part of the half. The Eagles were able to stretch to a more comfortable 10 point lead at the half, with the score standing 46-36.
“We just weren’t running the court hard enough in the first half, and we weren’t stopping the three point shots,” said senior guard Jimmie Miles.
However, the Eagles came back on a mission after the half, making a presence that extended their lead early in the period.
“We just came out with more intensity. We just had to get the ‘W’,” said forward Anton Palmer.
The Eagles cracked down on defense with an effort led by senior forward Freeman Taylor, who ended the game with an astounding 19 rebounds, 12 points, three blocked shots, and three steals. Sophomore forward Casey Love added four blocks and three rebounds himself in only 12 minutes of play.
Center Reggie George led the offensive movement, scoring 23 points which included a rare, crowd-pleasing three point shot. George also pulled down seven rebounds and blocked five shots.
“We came out with a lot of energy. We wanted to get it done in the beginning of the second half,” said George.
Also on the offensive front, senior guard Jimmie Miles connected for 14 and totaled six assists. He chipped in on defense as well, picking up two steals.
Senior guard Melvin Council had quite the impressive overall game, totaling 20 points, a steal, four blocked shots, and leading the team with six assists and zero turnovers.
“The tournament went great,” said junior guard Steve Strong, who summed it up quite nicely.