Crimson Wave Wash Away #1 RMU in Overtime!
Hammond, IN – The small private school located off the Duneland shores of Lake Michigan made history on its home court Wednesday evening as CCSJ upset the #1 ranked NAIA Division-I powerhouse Robert Morris (22-2) in overtime. Calumet College of St. Joseph (12-12) began the game with an immediate three point lead before senior point guard Diante Watkins of RMU flashed his brilliance by scoring the first seven Golden Eagles points to extend the early lead 7-3. The Eagles were beginning to soar in the first-half as they extended their lead over CCSJ to 12 points, 28-16, at the 10:42 mark.
However the Crimson Wave would weather the early storm by RMU through good defense and a balanced offensive attack. CCSJ would go onto a 16-2 run and take the lead with five minutes remaining in the half, 32-30. The initial force from the Crimson Wave came from junior center Brannon Jones who scored 11 first-half points to help establish Calumet College of St. Joseph inside the paint and open up the three point shot. Senior C.J. Montgomery and sophomore Chris Diehl each sank two key three point buckets to help the Crimson Wave extend the team’s lead to eleven, 46-35, as the half-time horn concluded an exciting first-half of action between intra-conference schools.
The second-half between “David and Goliath” began with quick assault by the Golden Eagles led again by Watkins (33 total points) and RMU counterpart Aubrey McAlpine (11 second-half points) to capture a one-point lead, 51-50, five minutes into the half. Head Coach Ryan Sexson looked to his bench for some extra effort and called upon sophomore guard Robert Jackson (12 second-half points) to help the Crimson Wave defuse the Golden Eagles scoring surge. Jackson’s ability to attack the rim against RMU provided a new option for CCSJ while senior Karl Anderson attacked the glass relentlessly grabbing six second-half rebounds along with nine points. The battle between the NAIA Division I and II teams would sway back-and-forth during the final ten minutes of the game concluding with 78-78 tie forcing the both teams to prepare for overtime.
Could the small private school in Northwest Indiana create enough energy to overcome the NAIA juggernaut of #1 RMU, five minutes of overtime would answer that question. The Crimson Wave took floor and earned the first two points of OT by Jackson only to have Watkins of RMU tie the game back to 80-80. Then the momentum began to shift to the home team as the enthusiastic roar from the Crimson Wave fans began to feed the team the needed energy to gain the lead after a “big-time” three pointer by sophomore Roddy Richardson preventing RMU the opportunity to take an overtime advantage. Senior Devon Key would hit the final “key” free throws to seal the victory and upset of the NAIA #1 ranked Division I team, Robert Morris University, 92-85. Four Crimson Wave players finished the epic battle in double figures Jackson (19 points), Richardson (18 points), Anderson (16 points) and Jones (15 points). As a team CCSJ out rebound RMU 54-37 with Anderson collecting 10 boards to led all players.
The victory marks the first time Calumet College of St. Joseph has defeated conference foe Robert Morris University and a national ranked NAIA Division I opponent.
|
