Pregame Preview: Robert Morris (17-8,9-5 Horizon) at Northern Kentucky (11-13,6-7 Horizon)
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Last Meeting Breakdown: Northern Kentucky (93) vs. Robert Morris (97) (3OT)
On December 29th, these squads played a thrilling triple-overtime showdown with 13 lead changes and 13 ties, as Robert Morris (RMU) managed to outlast Northern Kentucky (NKU) in a battle of resilience. Let’s break it down by each half and overtime period before previewing Saturday's matchup.
First Half
Score: RMU 36 - NKU 32
- Game Flow:
- RMU started slow, trailing 9-2 early as NKU controlled the boards.
- RMU battled back, taking its first lead at 18-15 after a Kam Woods fastbreak layup.
- Both teams traded baskets, but RMU went into halftime leading by four (36-32) after a late dunk by Amarion Dickerson.
- NKU struggled from three-point range (1-5, 20%) but dominated the boards (24-13 advantage).
Second Half:
Score: NKU 41 - RMU 37 (Tied at 73-73, forcing overtime)
- Game Flow:
- RMU extended its lead to 45-37 early, with DJ Smith and Woods driving the offense.
- NKU stormed back, tying the game at 47-47 after a Sam Vinson free throw with 13 minutes remaining.
- Both teams exchanged leads, with neither leading by more than six points for the remainder of regulation.
- Final Minute Drama:
- RMU led 70-69 with 1 minute left after a Trey Robinson free throw.
- Folgueiras then missed a three-pointer and Trey Robinson made a layup on the next NKU possession to give NKU the 71-70 advantage with 49 seconds remaining.
- DJ Smith then hit a huge three to give RMU the 73-71 lead.
- Robinson tied the game at 73-73 with a jumper at 19 seconds.
- RMU had two chances at the buzzer—Woods missed a three, and Dickerson's tip-in attempt failed, sending the game to overtime.
Overtime 1:
Score: RMU 7 - NKU 7 (Tied at 80-80, forcing 2nd OT)
- Key Moments:
- RMU started strong with a Dickerson layup to go up 76-73.
- NKU’s Trey Robinson hit two clutch free throws to close within 77-75.
- Josh Dilling hit a fastbreak three-pointer with 48 seconds left to give NKU a 79-78 lead.
- RMU’s Kam Woods responded with a tough layup (80-79 RMU).
- Josh Dilling split two free throws with 8 seconds left, tying the game at 80-80.
- RMU had the final possession, but Woods missed another three at the buzzer—forcing double overtime.
Overtime 2:
Score: RMU 6 - NKU 6 (Tied at 86-86, forcing 3rd OT)
- Key Moments:
- Both teams struggled offensively, missing their first five combined shots.
- RMU’s Ryan Prather Jr. hit a three-pointer (86-83 RMU).
- NKU’s LJ Wells answered with a three (86-86).
- Neither team scored in the final 1:38, as Woods and Vinson missed potential go-ahead shots.
Overtime 3:
Score: RMU 11 - NKU 7 (Final: RMU 97 - NKU 93)
- Key Moments:
- RMU took control early with an Alvaro Folgueiras layup (88-86 RMU).
- NKU’s Sam Vinson tied the game again at 88-88.
- RMU took a 94-92 lead with 26 seconds left after an Amarion Dickerson dunk.
- NKU had a chance to tie, but Vinson missed a three with 11 seconds left.
- RMU’s Kam Woods hit a free throw (95-93 RMU).
- Dickerson grabbed a key offensive rebound after a missed FT and sealed the win with two free throws (97-93 RMU).
Final Thoughts:
- Robert Morris won by executing better in the clutch, despite NKU dominating the glass (65-52 rebounds).
- NKU’s turnovers (23 total) cost them, giving RMU 21 points off turnovers.
- Amarion Dickerson (27 PTS, 15 REB, 5 BLK) was the best player on the court that night, making big plays all game.
- Sam Vinson (12 PTS, 14 REB, 7 AST) had a strong all-around game for NKU but struggled with efficiency (4-18 FG).
- Kam Woods (12 PTS, 10 AST, 4 STL) hit key shots despite shooting struggles (4-26 FG).
Final Score: Robert Morris 97, Northern Kentucky 93 (3OT)
Pregame Preview and Scouting Report
Leading up to Saturday's massive Horizon League matchup, Coach Darrin Horn discussed the challenges that Robert Morris will pose based on the previous matchup on Lance McAlister's show saying:
"They have two interior guys that were fantastic. One of them had twenty-seven and nineteen. So, real challenge on the interior, on the glass, really solid defensively team."
Horn was referring to Amarion Dickerson, who had a massive performance against Northern Kentucky and has only continued to roll. In his last eight games, he is averaging just under 16 points and an impressive 2.5 blocks per game. He is second in the nation with 67 total blocks and only behind Youngstown State's Gabe Dynes, who has 78 blocks. In RMU's last game against Detroit Mercy, he blocked a school record 8 shots, which only passed his own school record of 7 earlier this season vs Stonehill.
RMU also has a stretch 4 weapon in the form of Alvaro Folgueiras and despite going 0-5 from 3 vs NKU, he still managed to put up 21 points, and a season high 19 rebounds. He is rarely going to light the world on fire from three, but is going to take around three a game and something the entire Norse defense will have to be aware because they will share responsibilities while playing fist defense.
Arguably the most important player to this Colonials team is senior point guard Kam Woods. He struggled from the field in the last matchup, but he is the engine that makes this team go. Although he may not be the best pure scorer on the team, despite leading the team with 14.6 PPG, 35% from the field and 28% from 3, he is a great facilitator of the basketball. Averaging 4.7 assists, Woods routinely finds open teammates after driving into the paint and has no problem leaving his feet to make a pass, which most coaches try to avoid as much as possible, but for Woods it works.
The only injury of note for RMU is that Josh Omojafo, a junior guard averaging 10.7 PPG and shooting 36% from three did not play in the Colonials last game against Detroit Mercy due to a knee injury. He practiced the day before the game, but was unable to play.
As an entire defensive unit in conference play this Colonial team is one of the best, ranking 3rd in defensive efficiency according to Kenpom. They force turnovers on over 20% of their defensive possessions which is good for first in the Horizon league. Woods is great at being a pest on defense and causing problems for the opposing team but it is a collective effort on defense for Robert Morris.
The Colonials, under Andy Toole, are a team that almost exclusively play man defense. So much so that they have gone man-to-man 99.2% of the time this season. Toole trusts his player's ability to guard the ball one-on-one. They have played zone on only 14 possessions this season, allowing opponents to shoot 6-for-9 from the field. They played zone on NKU's final possession of the first half in the previous matchup and it resulted in a turnover by the Norse on a backcourt violation. Something to be aware of going into the game for a potential rare defensive wrinkle.
My ESPN+ partner Brady Laber, Jim Kelch and Rick Broering of the radio team and myself attended the Northern Kentucky shootaround this Friday. Norse Hoops was busy at work preparing for the upcoming game with some of the best energy we have seen this season. The team and staff both displayed an intense, energetic focus similar to that of Wednesday’s game against Cleveland State. Coming straight off a statement win can do a lot for atmosphere heading into another conference game. Coach Horn showed praise to guys like Dan Gherezgher and LJ Wells for recent games on Jim Kelch’s pregame interview.
