It has been a frustrating year for the Raiders who came in to this year with high expectations. Close losses have taken their toll on Roberts' resiliency and heading to Point Park University in Pittsburgh, PA after a crushing loss to Malone University on Saturday looked to be a lofty task. Point Park (9-5, 3-3 AMC) was averaging 92.2 points per game, ranking them third in all of NAIA Division II. The Pioneers had not been held under 80 points all season. That changed Tuesday night as the Raiders defeated Point Park 89-78.
Roberts played consistently and intelligently throughout the night. Turnovers and poor free throw shooting have cost the Raiders this season but Tuesday night they finished off the Pioneers by going 11 for 12 from the free throw line down the stretch and only committing nine turnovers for the game.
Roberts was able to gain a 10 point lead late in the first half and went into the locker room up by 8 points, 41-33. Nine different Raiders scored in that first half led by
Rashaad Stokelin's 8 points.
Point Park was without guards Jimmy Sherwood and T.J. Heatherington, the second game in a row that Sherwood and Heatherington missed to injury. The Pioneers were able to come away with a 99-93, overtime victory over Cedarville Saturday in the first game the pair missed and looked to be poised to do it again as they cut the Raiders lead to one point early in the second half, but Roberts went on an 18-5 run of their own and never looked back.
Roberts was led by
Jake Russell's 18 points off the bench. Russell hit four three point shots as the Raiders shot 7 for 19 from behind the arc. The Raider bench outscored the Pioneers 31-5.
Patrick Downer scored 6 points and sparked the Raiders with 6 rebounds. Stokelin finished with 16 points,
Jordan Heath and
Alif Bland each had 13 points and 7 rebounds, and
Dan Foley had 10 points, 9 rebounds, and 5 assists.
Delaware St. transfer, Kris Douse, led all players with 24 points and 20 rebounds. Joel Cashett had 22 points and Josh Trocchio had 16 points for the Pioneers.
Roberts Wesleyan continues AMC play this weekend. The Raiders travel to Notre Dame on Friday at 8:00 and visit Mt. Vernon Nazarene Saturday at 4:00.
