Omojafo's 24 points send Robert Morris past Youngstown State to claim Horizon title and NCAA bid

Omojafo’s 24 points send Robert Morris past Youngstown State to claim Horizon title and NCAA bid

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Youngstown State guard Jason Nelson (0) shoots over Robert Morris guard DJ Smith (11) in the second half of an NCAA college basketball game in the championship of the Horizon League tournament in Indianapolis, Tuesday, March 11, 2025. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)

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Youngstown State center Gabe Dynes (45) blocks the shot of Robert Morris guard Kam Woods (8) in the second half of an NCAA college basketball game in the championship of the Horizon League tournament in Indianapolis, Tuesday, March 11, 2025. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)

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Robert Morris players celebrate with the trophy after defeating Youngstown State in an NCAA college basketball game in the championship of the Horizon League tournament in Indianapolis, Tuesday, March 11, 2025. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)

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Robert Morris guard Amarion Dickerson (3) “punches” the team’s ticket to the NCAA tournament after defeating Youngstown State in an NCAA college basketball game in the championship of the Horizon League tournament in Indianapolis, Tuesday, March 11, 2025. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)

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Robert Morris guard Kam Woods (8) celebrates in the second half of an NCAA college basketball game in the championship of the Horizon League tournament against Youngstown State in Indianapolis, Tuesday, March 11, 2025. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)

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Robert Morris guard Amarion Dickerson (3) celebrates in the second half of an NCAA college basketball game in the championship of the Horizon League tournament against Youngstown State in Indianapolis, Tuesday, March 11, 2025. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)

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Youngstown State head coach Ethan Faulkner watches in the second half of an NCAA college basketball game in the championship of the Horizon League tournament against Robert Morris in Indianapolis, Tuesday, March 11, 2025. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)

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Youngstown State guard Jason Nelson (0) drives on Robert Morris guard Ryan Prather Jr. (2) in the second half of an NCAA college basketball game in the championship of the Horizon League tournament in Indianapolis, Tuesday, March 11, 2025. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)

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INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Josh Omojafo scored 24 points and grabbed 13 rebounds, and Robert Morris beat Youngstown State 89-78 on Tuesday night to claim the Horizon League Tournament championship and clinch an automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament.

Robert Morris (26-8) will make its ninth appearance in the NCAA Tournament, most recently in 2015 when the Colonials beat North Florida in the First Four before losing to No. 1 seed and eventual champion Duke in the first round.

Omojafo led all five RMU starters in double figures in the scoring column. Kam Woods scored 17 points, Alvaro Folgueiras had 14, Amarion Dickerson 13 and DJ Smith 11.

Robert Morris led the whole way.

Juwan Maxey scored 23 points and Nico Galette added 21 for Youngstown State (21-13).

Robert Morris built an 11-0 lead before the Penguins responded with a 14-6 spurt to get back in it. Maxey’s 3-pointer with 2:22 left before halftime reduced Youngstown State’s deficit to 30-29 and the Colonials led 34-29 at halftime.

Cris Carroll made a 3 to get Youngstown State again within two at 54-52 with 11:23 remaining, but Folgueiras countered with a 3 almost two minutes later and the Penguins never got closer.

Robert Morris created safe distance outscoring the Penguins 11-5 in a four-minute stretch in which Folgueiras, Ryan Prather Jr. and Omojafo each made 3s.

Folgueiras’ 3 with 2:33 left gave Robert Morris its largest lead at 78-65.

Youngstown State is 0-4 in conference tournament championships.

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