The NAIA No. 2-ranked Robert Morris College Eagles fell to the visiting No. 12-ranked Union University (Tennessee) Bulldogs 99-93 in a rematch, in front of a packed house Monday night at Loyola University’s Joseph Gentile Center.
The NAIA No. 2-ranked Robert Morris College Eagles fell to the visiting No. 12-ranked Union University (Tennessee) Bulldogs 99-93 in a rematch, in front of a packed house Monday night at Loyola University’s Joseph Gentile Center.
In the first meeting between the two, the No.12 Bulldogs left the Windy City victorious, after stealing one on the Eagle’s home court two weeks ago in the season opener. They shocked the Eagles in a 103-100 overtime thriller after early foul trouble haunted the Eagles at the end.
But in Monday’s game, foul trouble and ill preparedness wouldn’t be the reason for history repeating itself. Early in the first half, the Eagles came out flying, after being led by the great point guard play of Kenny ‘The Jet’ Page, a 5’9 senior from Indianapolis.
Page led the team in scoring, shooting a superb 7-for-9 from field and going a perfect 1-for-1 from behind the three-point arc, finishing the game with 20 points, six assists, and one amazing circus-like reverse layup over 6’8 defender, guard/forward Greg Truvillion of Union University.
“Kenny can be a game changer,” said Coach Al Bruehl. “His ability to move the ball up court, stop and start on the dribble, and hit the jumper makes him a really dangerous offensive player.”
Although Page led the Eagles’ in scoring, it still wasn’t enough to contain the Union Bulldogs and the NAIA’s nation’s leading scorer, senior guard Matt Neaville, who led all scorers with 26 points.
It seemed like every time the Eagles would trim the lead or get close, Neaville would come down and make a big shot.
“My teammates kept looking for me,” said Neaville. “Each time they collapsed and double teamed our bigs , I looked for my shot.”
After magnificent guard play by both teams, the power forwards and the centers of both teams would not allow the guards to steal the spotlight.
The match-up of the night was supposed to have featured Chicago’s very own former Westinghouse high school stand-out De Andre Thomas, who had a monster game in the first meeting between the two, tallying 29 points and 10 rebounds in a loss. And for Union University, senior power forward Brian Lake ranked among the nation’s best in rebounding, averaging a respectful 9.6 rebounds per game.
Although Lake outplayed Thomas in this game, with an 18-point, eight rebound performance, Thomas was held to limited action due to early foul trouble and finished the game with only 10 points and two rebounds.
His limited play allowed another fellow Chicagoan to take the stage, senior center Jeff Wilson, who along with Reggie Bunch scored 17 points each in the low post. The two combined to go 11-of-22 from the field, including Wilson’s perfect night of 5-for-5 shooting. Although Wilson’s and Bunch’s contributions were great, it still wasn’t enough to maintain Matt ‘Knock-em’ Down’ Neaville. It seemed like whenever the Eagles made a run, he would match them shot for shot by nailing one big three after another.
Final score: Union University (Tenn.) 99, Robert Morris College (Chicago) 93
In addition to the men’s game, the Lady Eagles’ of Robert Morris College took on NCAA Division I Loyola University. This game was a part of a Robert Morris’ men and women’s basketball double-header.
The top five leading scorers of both teams:
Robert Morris leading scorer’s-Kenny Page, 20; Jeff Wilson, 17; Reggie Bunch, 17; Andre White, 15; De Andre Thomas, 10.
Union University (Tennessee) leading scorer’s-Matt Neaville, 26; Brian Lake, 18; Greg Truvillion, 14; Tacuma Alexander, 12; Antoine Joseph, 11.
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