Emmitsburg, Md. (January 8, 2011)--Robert Morris edged Mount St. Mary's, 51-48, in men's basketball action at Knott Arena on Saturday afternoon. Junior Lamar Trice scored a game-high 19 points to pace the Mountaineers in the loss.

Trailing 45-35 with 5:08 left in the game, the Mount rallied down the stretch, but could not complete the comeback. The Mount hit six free throws to kick-start an 11-2 run that cut the deficit to 47-46. Trice hit a big three-pointer with 1:40 on the clock to make the score 46-44 and Atupem scored in the paint after Robert Morris guard Velton Jones hit 1-of-2 to cut the gap to 47-46 with 51 seconds on the clock.

On the next possession, the Mount forced a miss by Robert Morris forward Lijah Thompson, but the Colonials (6-9, 2-2 NEC) scrapped for the loose ball on the rebound to regain control. The Mount then fouled Karon Abraham, who hit both shots for a 49-46 advantage.

The Mountaineers (4-13, 2-2 NEC) again cut the deficit to one, 49-48, on a Trice drive with 4.6 seconds on the clock. The Mount fouled Abraham on the inbounds, and he calmly sank both free throws for a 51-48 lead with 3.1 seconds left. The Mount called timeout and got the ball to Julian Norfleet for a desperation three, but his shot was off the mark.

Trice had 19 points, four rebounds and three assists to pace the Mount while Atupem added 10 points, seven boards and three steals. Danny Thompson pulled down 11 rebounds in the loss.

Robert Morris was led by Abraham's 13 points while Anthony Myers chipped in 10 points. Russell Johnson led the Colonials with 11 boards.

The Mount shot 33.3 percent in the game and committed 22 turnovers while Robert Morris shot 34.5 percent while making 18 turnovers.

The Mountaineers return to action next Thursday, January 13, at Long Island.

Game Notes...The Mount and Robert Morris have now played 16 times since the 2005-06 season...The teams have played in each of the past five Northeast Conference Tournaments with Robert Morris knocking off the Mount in each of the past two season.