Latest News
Lady Eagles earn birth to nationals!
NEWPORT NEWS, VA – The fields for the 2012 USCAA Men’s and Women’s Basketball National Championships have been finalized. The Championships, hosted by Penn State Fayette in Uniontown, Pennsylvania, will take place March 6-10.
Gaining bids in the Men’s Division I basketball bracket are Rochester College, Lindenwood-Belleville, Southern Virginia, Washington Adventist, Oakwood University, Apprentice School, Ave Maria University, and University of Maine – Fort Kent. Gaining bids in the Men’s Division II bracket are Penn State Beaver, Central Penn, Andrews University, Eastern Maine Community College, College of St. Joseph, University of Maine - Machias, Berkeley College - NY, Penn State DuBois, Vermont Technical College, and Penn State Fayette.
The women’s basketball field has expanded to sixteen teams this year. Gaining a bid in the women’s bracket are Rochester College, Apprentice School, Briarcliffe College, University of Cincinnati-Clermont, Selma University, Southern Virginia University, Concordia College – Selma, Robert Morris University- Springfield, Lindenwood-Belleville, Carlow University, Spalding University, Berkeley College - NY, St. Mary of the Woods College, Marygrove College, Penn State Fayette, and Central Maine Community College.
Teams in the Men’s Division I bracket will be looking up at Rochester College, ranked number one in the USCAA for the majority of the year. Chasing Rochester will be defending champion Southern Virginia University, the two seed. In Men’s Division II Andrews University is back to defend their title, with Central Penn College and Penn State – Beaver as the number one and two seeds respectively in the bracket.
On the women’s side Rochester College gains the top overall seed with Apprentice School and Briarcliffe College as the top ranked challengers.
Eigth seeded Robert Morris University - Springfield faces ninth seed Carlow on Wednesday, March 7th at 3:15pm.
The tournament kicks off at the Main Arena of PSU Fayette on March 6th, followed by the All-American Banquet that evening. All three divisions will begin play on the March 7th, with championship games being held on Saturday, March 10th. If you would like more information on USCAA basketball or the 2012 USCAA Basketball National Championships, please visit: www.theuscaa.com
Unlimited Miles!
SPRINGFIELD, IL - Opening Night of the 2011-12 Women's Basketball campaign witnessed RMU hold a fundraiser for the Miles Family. Not only did RMU defeat Danville CC 68-48, they raised over $3000.00 for the Miles Family.
The entire coaching staff and program would like to thank all those who came out and supported this great cause.
Monshell Clemmons Night!
SPRINGFIELD, IL - On Tuesday, Dec. 6, 2011, senior guard Monshell Clemmons played her last game as a Lady Eagle. Monshell will be graduating this month with her Bachelor of Computer Studies Degree. Monshell has been with the program for the past three years and been a team co-captain the past two seasons. She has been a very instrumental part of the program both on and off the court during her career at RMU. She is a two-time winner of the Eagle Award and also a two-time USCAA Academic All-American.
Monshell Clemmons
Monshell will be greatly missed and the coaching staff and her teammates want to wish her the best of luck in all her future endeavors.
Heiges Signs with RMU-Springfield!
Becca Heiges, 5'8" point guard for the Argenta-Oreana signed her letter of intent to play basketball for the Robert Morris University Springfield Lady Eagles. Before moving to A-O, Becca played for the Huskies of Benzie Central High School in Benzonia, Michigan where she was named best defensive player both her freshman and sophomore years. She led the Huskies in taking charges and in steals both years.
At A-O Becca was again named the Lady Bombers’ best defensive player both her junior and senior years. She led the team in steals as a junior and was a Macon County All-Star her senior year. She led the team in taking charges both years and set a personal record of 11 steals in one game. Becca was also a state qualifier in the triple-jump as a Junior. Coach Matt Mead is excited about Heiges’ athleticism. "Her length and quickness will be an asset to our team, especially on the defensive end of the floor. Becca is a hard worker and a good leader and will make an immediate impact on our team in several areas."
Becca will study Business Administration at the RMU-Springfield campus.
Stephanie House inks her LOI with Lady Eagles!
Robert Morris University-Springfield Women's Basketball Head Coach Matt Mead has added another strong guard to the RMU roster for 2011-2012. The Eagles strengthened their backcourt with the signing of Rockford Guilford guard Stephanie House.
The daughter of Stephen and Donita House, Stephanie was a key member of Coach Bianca Clendening's Vikings during her career. During the 2010-11 season she averaged over 9 points, 3 assists and 6 rebounds per game. Stephanie also had great success in the classroom by maintaining a 3.3 grade point average over her four years at Rockford Guilford.
"Stephanie has a good skill set and will fit in well with us on the offensive end. She is a strong shooter and also has the ability to score off the dribble. We are excited about Stephanie contributing to our team next season," said Coach Mead of his latest recruit.
Stephanie will pursue her degree in Business/Accounting at the University's Springfield Campus.
Ashley Balster signs with Robert Morris University!
Back Row L to R: RMU Head Coach Matt Mead and RMU Asst. Coach Ronda Schappaugh
Front Row L to R: John Balster (Dad), Ashley Balster, and Marla Balster (Mom)
On Wednesday, April 29, 2011, Robert Morris University-Springfield Women's Basketball Head Coach Matt Mead has added another solid player to his Lady Eagles team for the 2011-2012 season with the signing of Ashley Balster , a sharpshooting guard from Petersburg PORTA High School.
The daughter of John and Marla Balster, Ashley was a key member of the Lady Jays program for all four years of her career. In her senior year for the Lady Jays, Balster averaged 9.8 points per game and shot 80% from the free throw line. She recorded 110 assists (4.1 per game) and also averaged 3 rebounds and 2.7 steals per game. Balster was named to the All -Tournament Team at Taylorville Round Robin Tourney, and was a 2011 3-point State qualifier. She was voted 2nd team All-Sangamo Conference. She also garnered invitations to these All-Star Games: Canton Kiwanis- 2-ball Hot Shot Champion, Jacksonville Westown Ford's All Star Game and IBS All-Star Game.
In joining the Lady Eagles, Balster will be reunited with her old coaching staff from her junior high and early high school years at Petersburg PORTA. Coach Mead, remarking on the Balster signing, said "We are very excited to have Ashley join our RMU basketball family. She is a very good shooter who also can defend multiple positions on the floor. We expect Ashley to step in and help our team right away next season."
South Fulton standout Laci Porter signs with RMU- Springfield Eagles!
Back Row L to R: South Fulton Asst. Coach Tim Engel, Athletic Director Steve Kelly, and South Fulton Head Coach Carl Beebe
Front Row L to R: Brian Porter (Dad), RMU Head Coach Matt Mead, Laci Porter, and Lonna Porter (Mom)
Robert Morris University-Springfield Women's Basketball Head Coach Matt Mead has added another strong perimeter player to the Springfield Lady Eagles roster for 2011-2012 when South Fulton High School guard Laci Porter signed her letter of intent.
The daughter of Brian and Lonna Porter, Laci was a four year starter for the Lady Rebels and has earned countless awards from the South Fulton coaching staff and has pulled down over 500 rebounds during her high school career. "Laci is a hard working individual and a great kid with some very good defensive skills, said Coach Mead of his latest recruit. She comes from a very strong program at South Fulton and is well prepared to step in and help us next season. Laci will fit nicely into our program, and we are pleased to have her as an Eagle."
Laci plans to major in Accounting with a minor in business while at Robert Morris University.
Abu-Tayeh will play at Robert Morris!
Back Row L to R: Khawla and Allen Abu-Tayeh (Tamara's parents)
Front Row L to R: RMU Head Coach Matt Mead, Tamara Abu-Tayeh, and Williamsville Head Coach Jon Hampton
SPRINGFIELD, IL - Williamsville HS senior Tamara Abu Tayeh, who was a point guard for the Bullets' Class 2A Regional Championship Girl's Basketball Team in 2010-2011, recently signed her Letter of Intent to play for the Robert Morris University Eagles next season.
The 5'4 Abu Tayeh averaged 5.9 points, 3.8 assists, 3.7 steals and 3.1 rebounds for Williamsville as a senior.
Considered one of the best perimeter defenders in the area, she earned 2nd Team All-Sangamo Conference honors this past season.
Abu Tayeh was a 3-year starter for the Bullets, who won 59 games in that stretch.
Eagles' title hopes end in semifinals!
UNIONTOWN, PA - Penn State-Beaver rolled to a 40-21 halftime lead and beat Robert Morris University 63-53 in the semifinals of the United States Collegiate Athletic Association national tournament.
Eunice Gill (junior; Champaign, IL) had 22 points to lead RMU.
Beal leads Eagles to USCAA victory!
UNIONTOWN, PA - Ashley Beal (junior; Girard, IL) scored 16 points and grabbed 12 rebounds for third-seeded Robert Morris University, which beat No. 6 Briarcliffe 67-47 Thursday in a first-round game at the United States Collegiate Athletic Association national tournament.
Jorita Wright (sophomore; Springfield, IL) had 13 points and six rebounds for the Eagles, who play #7 Penn State Beaver today in the quarterfinals.
Eunice Gill (junior; Champaign, IL) and Katie Johnson (junior; Sterling, IL) scored 10 points apiece for RMU.
Springfield Eagles recognized on post-season teams!
Newport News, VA
Tuesday, March 1, 2011
The United States Collegiate Athletic Association (USCAA) announced their post-season award teams at the 2011 Basketball Championships taking place in Uniontown, PA on Tuesday, March 1, 2011.
Among those recognized were a handful of Robert Morris University student-athletes. Named to the 2011 National Academic Team were Lady Eagles Monshell Clemmons (junior; Springfield, IL) and Katie Johnson (junior; Sterling, IL). This is the second consecutive year Clemmons has been honored by the USCAA for her academic achievements and Johnson, a junior college transfer, receives her first academic team award.
Monshell Clemmons Katie Johnson
Ashley Beal (junior; Girard, IL) and Eunice Gill (junior; Champaign, IL) have been recognized for being the statistical leaders for RMU on their run to the national tournament by being named USCAA 1st Team All-Americans. Beal led the country in free-throw percentage shooting 84% on 68-of-81 from the line. She was also ranked fourth in the country for 3-point FG percentage shooting just over 48% connecting on 60-of-124 attempts. Gill is the Lady Eagles leading scorer and point guard averaging 17.05 ppg good for 14th in the country. She also is ranked 8th in assist averaging 4.82 per game.
Ashley Beal Eunice Gill
Eagles headed to nationals!
The third-seeded Robert Morris University Eagles will play their opening game at the United States Collegiate Athletic Association National Championships at 7 p.m. Thursday in Uniontown, Pa., against either sixth-seeded Briarcliffe or No. 11 Penn State Fayette.
The Eagles (17-9) will make their seventh straight appearance in the national tournament. RMU is ranked fourth in the coaches' poll.
Beal, Gill lead RMU Eagles to win!
SPRINGFIELD, IL - Ashley Beal (junior; Girard, IL) had the winning basket with 0.5 seconds remaining to lift the Robert Morris University Eagles past Lindenwood University-Belleville 73-72 Wednesday.
Beal finished with 19 points.
Eunice Gill (junior; Champaign, IL; pictured at right) scored 26 of her game-high 30 points in the second for the Eagles.
Ashley Will led Lindenwood with 28 points, and Kasey Teich added 23.
Lindenwood led by as many as 10 points early in the second half, and there were eight lead changes in the game.
Beal lifts Eagles past Bennett! 
NEWPORT NEWS, VA - Robert Morris University's Ashley Beal (junior; Girard, IL) scored 20 points in 23 minutes of play Sunday to lead the Eagles to a 68-53 win over Bennett College in the Martin Luther King Jr. Classic at the Apprentice School.
Robert Morris University (11-7) led 33-26 at halftime and finished 26-of-32 at the free throw line, including 10-of-14 after halftime.
Three other Eagles also reached double figures, including Katie Johnson (junior; Sterling, IL) with 11 points, Ellie Krone (freshman; Riverton, IL) with 11, and Jorita Wright (sophomore; Springfield, IL; pictured at right) with 10.
Wright also grabbed a game-high 10 rebounds.
Beal leads Eagles in rout!
SPRINGFIELD, IL - Ashley Beal (junior; Girard, IL; pictured below) scored a game-high 21 points and the Robert Morris University Eagles defeated the Milwaukee Tech Stormers 91-47 at Cass Gym.
Ellie Krone (freshman; Riverton, IL) had a double-double for Robert Morris, scoring 17 points and pulling down 10 boards. Eunice Gill (junior; Champaign, IL) added 13 points and eight rebounds, and Jorita Wright (sophomore; Springfield, IL) chipped in 13 points for the Eagles.
Krone paces RMU women's hoops! 
CHICAGO, IL - Buffalo Tri-City High School graduate Ellie Krone (freshman; pictured at right) scored a season-high 18 points and grabbed eight rebounds to lead the Robert Morris University Eagles past Olive Harvey 78-63.
Krone scored 12 of her points in the first half when the Eagles took a 36-32 lead.
Girard's Ashley Beal (junior) contributed 15 points and grabbed a team-high 11 rebounds, and Megan Smith (freshman; Medora, IL) hit three 3-point field goals and scored 13 points.
Eunice Gill (junior; Champaign, IL) had 10 points and eight rebounds as the Eagles won their third straight game and improved to 7-5.
Johnson, Beal boost RMU in women's hoops! 
SPRINGFIELD, IL - Toni Johnson (freshman; Peoria, IL; pictured at right) and Ashley Beal (junior; Girard, IL) each made a last-minute layup to help the Robert Morris University Eagles slip past the Moody Bible Institute Archers 76-75 thursday in a non-conference game at Cass Gym.
The Eagles (5-5) were down 75-72 with 40 seconds to play when Johnson hit her basket to pull RMU within one point.
Moody then missed the front-end of a one-and-bonus, and RMU got the rebound with 32 seconds to play.
Beal hit the game-winner with 25 seconds left. Moody got the ball back but missed a free throw and stepped out of bounds with 3.4 seconds to assure the Robert Morris victory.
Johnson scored 17 points and Beal had 14 points and 11 rebounds for the Eagles. Eunice Gill (junior; Champaign, IL) led RMU with 18 points.
USCAA Co-Player of the Week! 
Tuesday, Nov. 16, 2010
NEWPORT NEWS, VA - Eunice Gill (junior; Champaign, IL) is the Women's Basketball Co-Player of the Week.
Gill, the junior point guard, was named the MVP of the Rhema Bible Classic and finished the week with 55 points (18.3 ppg), 27 rebounds (9.0 rpg), 14 assists (4.6 apg) over three games this week.
Eunice also reached one double-double.
Congratulations Eunice on being named the USCAA Co-Player of the Week!
Gill paces Robert Morris!
TULSA, OK - Eunice Gill (junior; Champaign, IL; pictured below) scored 21 points and Robert Morris University held on to defeat Rhema Bible 68-63.
The Lady Eagles led by as many as 14 points in the first half and took a 36-26 lead into halftime. Gill went 7-for-16 from the field and grabbed eight rebounds. Ashley Beal (junior; Girard, IL) scored 16 points and made three 3-pointers for RMU, which improved to 2-0 on the season.
Lady Eagles start 2010 campaign with big victory! 
MILWAUKEE, WI - Robert Morris University-Springfield started out their 2010-2011 campaign with a convincing win over host Milwaukee Tech with a 65-41 win. RMU jumped out to an early 21-2 lead before coasting to the victory. All twelve members of the team saw time on the court Saturday with ten girls scoring.
Ashley Beal (junior; Girard, IL) paced the Eagles in scoring with 16 points, while Ellie Krone (freshman; Riverton, IL) scored 12 in her first collegiate game.
Katie Johnson (junior; Sterling, IL; pictured at right) led the way with 8 rebounds while also scoring 10 points.
Toni Johnson (freshman; Peoria, IL) tallied 6 steals on the day while also scoring nine points. Eunice Gill (junior; Champaign, IL) dished out a team high four assists.
RMU (1-0) travels to Tulsa, OK this week to take part in the Rhema Bible Classic November 11th through 13th.
Lady Eagles run for local youth foundation!
SPRINGFIELD, IL - On Saturday, September 25th 2010, members of the Robert Morris University - Springfield women's basketball team participated in the 1st Annual NightCrawler 5K. Coach Matt Mead, staff and his Lady Eagles braved the cold and wet elements to help support this fundraising event for the Rutledge Youth Foundation.
"The Rutledge Youth Foundation is non-for-profit organization that aids abused and neglected children in this local area. Currently, Rutledge serves around 300 youths. A variety of services are provided that include foster care, mentoring, counseling, and a group home. It is the goal of Rutledge to aid in implementing the tools necessary for our clients to be able to grow into productive, independent adults," explains Rutledge Youth Foundation Board's Fundraising Chairperson.
A number of the Lady Eagles not only participated but placed in their divisions. Ellie Krone (freshman; Riverton, IL) finished 4th overall in the female division and took 1st Place in her age group (15-19). Kailee Wyatt (freshman; Bloomington, IL) finished 2nd in the 15-19 division and Chi'Maine Allen (freshman; Chicago, IL) came in 3rd. Ashley Beal (junior; Girard, IL) placed 3rd in the 20-24 division.
Along with the women's basketball team, members of the Robert Morris University -Springfield women's soccer team volunteered their efforts along the course route assisting runners. RMU Associate Director of Athletics and Head Women's Soccer Coach, Chris Ryan, even pulled out the old running shoes and hit the pavement for the night's run.
"Along with the sponsorship and volunteer efforts from the Robert Morris University -Springfield athletic department, this was a huge success and helped not only raise money, but increase community awareness of Rutledge Youth Foundation. We are so thankful for Robert Morris University for their participation, and truly appreciate not only the numbers of volunteers that turned out for this event, but the number of students that participated in the run," stated the Rutledge Youth Foundation Board's Fundraising Chairperson and Event Coordinator.
"As a non-for-profit organization, fundraising is essential in keeping the doors open for our organization so that we may help those youths. The NightCrawler 5K is one of the many events that we have organized to raise the before mentioned needed funds."
(Below: members of the RMU - Springfield women's basketball team after the 5K)
