Bobby Mo gets NCAA play date
HAMDEN, Conn. — Robert Morris coach Mike Rice preaches to his team that defense wins.
On Wednesday night, the Colonials locked down their second consecutive trip to the NCAA tournament.
Dallas Green deflected a potential game-winning shot then sank two free throws with 7 seconds left as Robert Morris beat Quinnipiac 52-50 for the Northeast Conference championship, the Colonials' seventh title and second straight.
"To be honest with you, I have no idea what we do sometimes on offense," said Rice, a former assistant at Pitt, who is now in his third year at Robert Morris. "My whole thing is — defend."
Freshman Karon Abraham scored 16 points to lead the Colonials (23-11), and Green and Russell Johnson each added nine.
James Feldeine had 17 points for Quinnipiac (23-9) which was seeking its first conference title, but will settle for a berth in the NIT. Justin Rutty, the NEC Player of the Year, added 12 points and 10 rebounds.
Green got a piece of Feldeine's 3-point jumper with 10 seconds left and Robert Morris leading 50-48. His free throws gave the Colonials a four-point lead, and they held on for the win.
Robert Morris held Quinnipiac to 35 percent shooting and six second-half field goals.
"Out of one-bid leagues, the team that finishes first or second in field-goal percentage defense goes to the NCAA Tournament," Rice said. "If you don't defend in these one-bid leagues, you don't have a chance."
Neither team led by more than three points in the second half, and both teams were in the bonus for the game's final 7Z\x minutes.
Quinnipiac coach Tom Moore, a former Connecticut assistant, said the game was a lot like the physical, defensive battles UConn and Pitt would have back when both coaches were in the Big East.
"It's a phenomenal stat to hold a team to six field goals in a half on their court in a championship game," Moore said. "We you play a defensive team this good and they wear you down, anytime you create an open shot, you've got to make the open shot."
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