LORETTO, Pa. (Interstat) — DeSean Goode scored 24 points and grabbed eight rebounds to lead Robert Morris to a 79-70 victory over Saint Francis (PA) in a nonconference men’s basketball game Saturday at DeGol Arena. The Colonials improved to 10-4 overall, while the Red Flash fell to 2-11. Robert Morris led 37-34 at halftime and maintained its advantage throughout the second half. Ryan Prather added 18 points and nine assists for the Colonials. Skylar Wicks led Saint Francis (PA) with 19 points and eight rebounds. Robert Morris covered the spread as a 13.5-point favorite in front of an announced crowd of 385. The combined score of 149 points went over the projected total.

LORETTO, Pa. (Interstat) — DeSean Goode scored 24 points and Ryan Prather orchestrated the offense with nine assists as Robert Morris pulled away in the second half for a 79-70 victory over Saint Francis (PA) in a nonconference men’s basketball game Saturday at DeGol Arena. The Colonials, who led by just three points at halftime, used a decisive 12-2 run early in the second half to seize control and improve to 10-4 on the season. The Red Flash fell to 2-11. Goode, a 6-foot-8 forward from Fairmont, West Virginia, was efficient and dominant inside, making 10 of his 15 field goal attempts and adding eight rebounds in 34 minutes. His performance continued a strong stretch, coming off a 16-point effort in an overtime win against Youngstown State earlier in the week. Prather, a 6-5 guard from Clarksburg, Maryland, complemented Goode’s interior work by scoring 18 points, hitting four 3-pointers, and dishing out nine assists against only two turnovers in 38 minutes of action. His playmaking was pivotal as Robert Morris managed just two team assists outside of his contributions. The game’s most important sequence came shortly after halftime. Leading 37-34, Robert Morris saw its advantage cut to one point after a Skylar Wicks jumper for Saint Francis. The Colonials responded with a 12-2 surge over the next three minutes, capped by a 3-pointer from Goode assisted by Prather, to push their lead to 49-38 with 16:08 remaining. The Red Flash would not get closer than seven points the rest of the way. Robert Morris won despite being outplayed in several hustle categories. Saint Francis (PA) committed only five turnovers, forcing 12 from the Colonials, and held advantages in steals (8-2), offensive rebounds (9-6), and total assists (8-2, excluding Prather’s nine). The Colonials’ victory was built on superior shooting efficiency. Robert Morris shot 53.2% from the field (25 of 47) and was even more potent from beyond the arc, connecting on 12 of 22 attempts (54.5%). The Colonials also made 17 of 23 free throws. Saint Francis (PA), by contrast, shot 44.3% overall (27 of 61) and 42.3% from deep (11 of 26), but attempted only 10 free throws, making five. Saint Francis (PA) was led by Skylar Wicks, who had 19 points, eight rebounds and four assists. Zion Russell added 15 points, and Ahmad Harrison scored 11. Ralph Martino also finished with 11 points for the Red Flash. The game drew an announced crowd of 385. Robert Morris, which entered as a 13.5-point favorite according to sportsbooks, covered the spread. The combined score of 149 points went under the betting total of 143.5. Robert Morris returns to action Dec. 29 at home against Northern Kentucky. Saint Francis (PA) hosts Le Moyne on Jan. 2.

LORETTO, Pa. (Interstat) — A surging Robert Morris squad will look to extend its winning streak against a struggling Saint Francis (PA) team when the in-state foes meet in nonconference men’s basketball Saturday at DeGol Arena. The Colonials (9-4) enter on a three-game win streak, including an 80-77 overtime victory against Youngstown State on Wednesday. Robert Morris has won five of its last six, with the lone loss a two-point road defeat at Milwaukee on Dec. 6. The Red Flash (2-10) are mired in a six-game losing streak, all by double digits, following a 102-61 road loss at Florida on Wednesday. Saint Francis’ two wins this season came against non-Division I opponents Penn State-Shenango and Franciscan. Robert Morris is led by guard Ryan Prather, who is averaging 16.2 points over his last five games. He scored 19 in the overtime win over Youngstown State. DeSean Goode added 16 points in that contest. Saint Francis’ bright spot has been guard Skylar Wicks, who has scored in double figures in every game this season. He is averaging 19.2 points per game and poured in 22 against both Florida and Temple last week. The Colonials have shown a knack for close wins, with four victories by five points or fewer this season. The Red Flash have faced a brutal early schedule, with all 10 losses coming against teams with a combined record of 78-34. This is the final nonconference tune-up for both teams before league play begins in January. Robert Morris will open Horizon League action on Jan. 2, while Saint Francis (PA) begins Northeast Conference play on Jan. 8. Tip-off is set for 4 p.m. EST Saturday.