Robert Morris holds off Bryant to keep pace in NEC

Winning ugly doesn’t have to be bad. Robert Morris, in fact, is getting used to it.

The Colonials came out on top for the seventh time in nine games since embarking on their Northeast Conference schedule with another not-so-pretty offensive performance Thursday night.

Josh Williams scored 21 points and AJ Bramah came off the bench to notch his seventh double-double with 14 points and 16 rebounds to lead Robert Morris past Bryant, 64-54, at UPMC Events Center.

The Colonials, based on the season so far, barely put up the points they needed for a victory. They’re 0-9 when it scoring 62 points or fewer and 11-2 now when scoring at least 63.

With how poorly the teams were shooting in the first half — Robert Morris led, 10-9, with 6 minutes, 9 seconds left — it’s a wonder the teams finished with nearly 120 combined points.

“We were setting the game of basketball back,” Robert Morris coach Andy Toole said.

Dante Treacy chipped in 10 points for the Colonials (11-11, 7-2), who kept pace with league-leading Merrimack (7-1 NEC) by gaining their second consecutive victory after an ugly 21-point loss at St. Francis-Brooklyn on Jan. 23 to remain in second place a half-game behind the leaders.

“Our guys did a really, really nice job defensively, especially in the first half when we weren’t making some shots early on,” Toole said. “Really been proud of the way they continue to defend. There’s been some times earlier this year where if we’re not making shots, our defensive energy could ebb and flow. But our guys stayed really locked in and did a great job.”

Robert Morris led for the entire second half after taking a nine-point halftime lead, but Bryant crept within 57-54 on a 3-point shot by Benson Lin with 2:44 remaining.

From that point, Robert Morris blanked the Bulldogs, 7-0, to hold on.

Michael Green III led Bryant (10-11, 2-6) with 12 points. Charles Pride and Adam Grant added 11 apiece. Patrick Harding grabbed 12 rebounds and Hall Elisias added 10 for the Bulldogs, who held a 44-43 edge in boards.

“We were able to figure out some things towards the end of the first half and get Josh a couple open looks that he was able to step up and make,” Toole said. “In the second half, we got enough stops when we needed to and were able to execute our offense when we needed to.”

Brothers Josh and Jon Williams agreed the Colonials are carving an identity as a gritty team this year.

“It’s actually a great identity to have,” said Jon Williams, who finished with nine points and six assists for Robert Morris, which remains at home for a 1 p.m. Saturday game against Central Connecticut State.

“Defense is what wins games. You’ve got to get a stop when you need one and a basket when you need one. Being that gritty team, we’re starting to find our identity. I’m not going to say we like it like that. Of course, we love making shots and everybody’s high-fiving, but sometimes you do have to play ugly and grind out the games.”

After shaking loose with a late first-half flurry, Robert Morris kept the momentum to start the second half. Josh Williams’ 3-point shot gave the Colonials their largest lead, 37-24, before Bryant mounted a comeback.

A 12-2 run pulled the Bulldogs within 39-36 with 12:34 left. Grant scored seven consecutive points for the Bulldogs, including a pair of free throws courtesy of a technical foul call on Toole, who later admitted he likely became too sarcastic in his dialogue with officials over their calls.

The Colonials then went on a run of their own, outscoring Bryant, 15-7, to regain control.

A deadeye shooting display it wasn’t.

Robert Morris was shooting 19% for the game with under 7 minutes to play in the first half. At that time, Bryant was shooting 13.3.

Yet, Bryant still was leading RMU until the Colonials began to find the range and outscored the Bulldogs the rest of the way until halftime, 16-8, capped by Josh Williams’ buzzer-beating 3-point shot, giving Robert Morris a 26-17 advantage.

Both teams’ shooting percentages improved by game’s end, Robert Morris’ markedly more than Bryant’s. The Colonials finished at 37.3 (22 for 59 overall, 10 for 23 from 3-point range) and the Bulldogs at 28.8 (17 for 59 overall, 7 for 28 from behind the arc).

“We’ve had great shooting games, poor shooting games and everywhere in between,” Toole said, “but the defense has got to be consistent. When we guard, we give ourselves a chance.”