Box Score
Robert Morris boxscore in PDF
Photo gallery from Robert Morris game
Armon Provo scored a game-high 20 points as the Maryville men’s basketball team continued the best start in program history with a 66-54 victory over visiting Robert Morris-Springfield Saturday afternoon at Moloney Arena. The win is the fifth straight for the Saints, the longest since Maryville also won five consecutive games from Feb. 15, 2006, through Feb. 25, 2006.
Melvin Turner sank a 3-pointer on the first possession of the game as the Saints never surrendered the lead in the contest. Maryville still led 17-14 before Provo scored two straight baskets to stretch the lead to 21-14. However, the Eagles chipped away at the margin with seven straight points to forge a 21-21 tie. Turner scored off a Provo feed, and two free throws by Provo gave the Saints a 25-21 lead at halftime.
The Eagles kept the game close and were down 31-29 four minutes into the second half before the Saints scored six straight points.
Trae Pemberton knocked down two free throws and added a layup in traffic.
Asa Toney scored on a drive to the basket to build a 37-29 lead with just over 13 minutes left to play. Maryville’s cushion still stood at 40-35 before a trey by Pemberton and a bucket by Toney forged a double-digit margin at 45-35. Robert Morris trimmed its deficit to 50-42 but back-to-back 3-pointers by
Derek Deters and Provo build Maryville’s largest lead of the day at 56-42 with 6:18 remaining. The Eagles made one last push and got to 57-48 but a 3-pointer by Pemberton and a layup by
Darrin Young Jr. restored a 62-48 lead with two minutes left to go, and the Saints closed out the Eagles.
Provo hit 6-of-10 from the field, including 3-of-6 from 3-point range en route to his 20-point performance. Pemberton added 15 points, four steals and three assists, while Young reached double figures for the second straight game with 10 points. Toney handed out six assists and chipped in four steals. Jordan Softley led Robert Morris (2-8) with 14 points. The Saints forced the Eagles into 24 turnovers in the game.
The Saints take a break for final exams and are not in action again until Saturday, Dec. 15, when Lindenwood comes to Moloney Arena for a 3 p.m. game.
