by Eric Watkins

There was a team wearing Villanova home jerseys at the Dunkin' Donuts Center in Providence in an NCAA Tournament first round game today that didn't play like a team ranked #9 in the country and worthy of a #2 seed. #15 seed, Robert Morris came to play: fighting for loose balls, rebounding with ferocity, and knocking down jumpers. Robert Morris maintained a lead between 4 and 8 points for much of the game until a late 'Nova surge, fueled by a flurry of free-throws, forced overtime. In the overtime, the Cats showed a little more life - building a six point margin and then holding on for dear life as Robert Morris continued to play with passion and convert key scoring opportunities. Having two players foul out, three others collect 4 fouls and some crucial calls go against them down the stretch was enough to prevent Robert Morris from becoming only the 5th #15 seed (out of 101) to defeat a #2 seed. [details]