All-SCC guard Megan Smith joins Springfield Lady Eagles!

Springfield, IL - Robert Morris University-Springfield Women's Basketball Head Coach Matt Mead has added another perimeter player to the Springfield Lady Eagles roster for 2010-2011 when Southwestern High School guard Megan Smith signed her letter of intent. 

The daughter of Kevin and Pam Smith, Megan averaged 10 points, four rebounds and three assists during her senior campaign.  She helped lead Coach Steve Wooley's Piasa Birds to a 29-3 record including an Elite Eight finish in the 2010 Illinois High School Association State Girls Basketball Championship Tournament and the Beardstown Christmas Tournament Championship.  Megan was selected to the SCC West All-Conference First Team and Macoupin County All-Tourney team in each of the last two seasons.  She was the Most Valuable Player of the Macoupin County Tourney in 2009-10.

"Megan is a great guard who defends very well and can score in several different ways," said Coach Mead about the latest signing.  "She has a great skill set and comes from one of the top programs in the state.  Megan brings in a lot of experience and knows what it takes be successful on and off the court.  We look forward to Megan continuing her winning ways here at RMU and being a big part of our program for the next four years."

Megan will pursue a Bachelor of Business Administration at the University's Springfield Campus. 

Pictured (l to r): Seated: Pam Smith, Megan, Kevin Smith. Standing: Steve Wooley, Head Coach Southwestern High School

Springfield Lady Eagles sign Carver stand-out Chi'maine Allen!

Springfield, IL - Robert Morris University-Springfield Women's Basketball Head Coach Matt Mead's 2010 recruiting class continues to feature strong guards as he has once again strengthened the Springfield Lady Eagles' backcourt with the signing of Carver Military Academy guard Chi'maine Allen. 

The daughter of Rose and Willie Allen of Chicago, IL, Chi'maine was a starter all four years for Coach Tasha Johnson's Challengers.  This season she averaged 12 points, 5.5 assists and 2 rebounds per game.   Chi'maine was selected to both the Chicago Public League all-conference team and all-star game in 2009-10.  She earned MVP honors and served as team captain for Carver each of the last three seasons.  A strong student, Chi'maine received the Senior Scholastic MVP award in 2009-10. 

"Chi'maine is a guard with a great deal of speed and quickness.  She brings a wealth of experience and leadership after playing against top level competition during her career at Carver.  We are excited about Chi'maine contributing to our team next season," said Coach Mead of his latest recruit. 

Chi'maine will pursue her program in Medical Assisting at the University's Springfield Campus.

Pleasant Plains star Abby Bruce set for Springfield Lady Eagles!

Springfield, IL - Robert Morris University-Springfield Women's Basketball Head Coach Matt Mead has added one of the Springfield area's best players to the RMU roster for 2010-2011, strengthening his backcourt with the signing of Pleasant Plains High School guard Abby Bruce on April 21, 2010.

The daughter of Abraham and Amy Bruce, Abby was a key member of Coach Paul Kastner's Cardinals squad that finished 26-5 last season.  During her career she helped lead Plains to over ninety victories and two Class 2A regional titles in four years.   In each of the last two seasons she was named to the Sangamo All-Conference team and voted as Pleasant Plains Defensive Player of the Year.  "Abby was the one we put on the best player from the other team, and she always found a way get a key steal or basket late in the game," said Coach Kastner.    

"Abby is a very strong player who defends extremely well and has a great mind for the game," said Coach Mead about his latest signing.  "She plays hard every possession and has a knack for making big plays at key moments in games.  We look for her to step in and be a big part of our team next season."

Abby will pursue a Bachelor of Business Administration at RMU-Springfield and also participate on the Lady Eagles' Volleyball team.  

Pictured below from top left around newest Lady Eagles' recruit Abby Bruce: Pleasant Plains Coach Paul Kastner, Robert Morris Coach Matt Mead, Abby's father Abraham Bruce, and her mother Amy Bruce.

Two-sport stand-out Toni Johnson inks double LOI for Springfield Eagles!

Springfield, IL - Robert Morris-Springfield Women's Basketball Head Coach Matt Mead dropped his lure into the basketball rich pool in of nearby Peoria to hook his latest recruit, Peoria High School's Toni Johnson, inked her letter of intent with the Eagles on Thursday, April 15, 2010.

One of the top guards in the area, Toni will provide an immediate impact in the backcourt for the Lady Eagles. As a prep Toni averaged 10 points, five rebounds and four assists per game this past season for Coach Meechie Edwards' PHS Lions.  She was named to the All-Tournament Team at the Mt. Zion Thanksgiving Invitational.  Along with being a three-year starter and two-time captain, she was voted to the Mid-State 6 All-Conference team as a senior and earned honors as the Most Valuable Player of the Kiwanis Senior Girls Basketball Invitational.

"We are excited to have Toni on board for next season and feel she will step in and help us year at the guard position," said Coach Mead about Johnson.  "She is very athletic and has great speed.  Toni is a strong ball handler and shooter who can score in many different ways.  She also excels on the defensive end as she averaged 3 steals per game this year."

In addition to Toni signing her Letter of Intent for basketball, she also signed her Letter of Intent to participate on the women's soccer team at RMU-Springfield.

"Toni had contacted us about playing soccer as well in Springfield.  After speaking with Coach Mead and Randy Sleeth, PHS Girls Soccer Coach, I was excited to see what Toni could bring to the soccer program.  After watching Toni's game, I have no doubt that she will be able to bolster the Lady Eagles soccer attack.  With her speed, Toni should be able to break down quite a few of the defenses we will face this fall," stated RMU-Springfield Head Coach Chris Ryan.

Toni will pursue a Bachelor of Applied Science Degree in Computer Studies at the Springfield Campus.

Pictured: (l-r) Meechie Edwards (Head Coach Peoria High School), Toni Johnson and Debra Banks (Toni's Grandmother)

Tri-City forward Ellie Krone joins Springfield Lady Eagles!

Springfield, IL - He had barely returned from the United States Collegiate Athletic Association National Championship Tournament, when Robert Morris University-Springfield Women's Basketball Head Coach Matt Mead announced the signing of Tri-City High School forward Ellie Krone, strengthening his team's frontcourt for the 2010-2011 season. 

The daughter of Randy and Toni Krone, Ellie is an excellent student at TCHS ranked among the top six in her graduating class.  The newest Springfield Lady Eagle averaged 10 points a game and 6.7 rebounds for TCHS Coach Stan Price's Tornadoes this past season.  Ellie was selected to the MSM All-Conference First Team and Springfield State Journal-Register All-Area Team.  Twice during her career Ellie was named to the All-Tournament Team at the Sangamon County Tourney. 

"Ellie is a very strong player who rebounds the ball well and can score in a variety of ways," said Coach Mead about his latest recruit.  "She has a great skill set and offers a lot of versatility in her game both offensively and defensively.  We look for her to step in and contribute to our success next season."

Ellie will pursue her Bachelor of Business Administration Degree at the University's Springfield Campus.  She joins a Lady Eagles program that has made sixth straight appearances in the USCAA National Tournament. 

Pictured above at right surrounding new recruit Ellie Krone, from left: Ellie's father Randy Krone, TCHS Assistant Coach Kelly Hunt, Ellie's mother Toni Krone

Lady Eagles' garner post-season recognition!

UNIONTOWN, PA - Three members of the 2009-2010 Robert Morris University women's basketball program were named to USCAA Post-Season Teams at the USCAA Basketball National Tournament Banquet hosted by Penn State-Fayette in Uniontown, PA.

2010 USCAA National Academic Team
Monshell Clemmons (junior; Springfield, IL) - This is Monshell's first selection to the USCAA National Academic Team.  To be eligible to receive this award, a student-athlete must be of sophomore academic standing or higher with a minimum GPA of 3.5. 

2010 USCAA 1st Team All-American
Jasmine Mack (senior; Alton, IL) - The senior point guard finished 5th in the nation with 4.5 assists per game.

LaToya Gipson (junior; Sikeston, MO) - The junior forward finished 10th in the nation scoring averaging 17.24 points per game.

Congratulations to Monshell, Jasmine and LaToya!

Pictured below with Jasmine, Monshell and LaToya are members of the men's basketball team; Ephrem Davis and Anthony Patton.

Eagles finish 6th at Nationals!

UNIONTOWN, PA - Jasmine Green scored 23 points and grabbed six rebounds to lead Penn State-Beaver past Robert Morris University 60-45 Saturday in the fifth-place game of the USCAA Women's National Tournament.

LaToya Gipson (junior; Sikeston, MO) had 18 points and six rebounds for RMU, which took 6th in the 12-team tournament and finished the season 13-13.

Gipson scored 15 points and grabbed 11 rebounds Friday to lift Robert Morris over Penn State-Brandywine 70-60 in the fifth-place semifinals.

Indiana-Northwest rallies past Lady Eagles in quarterfinals!

UNIONTOWN, PA - Sharon Houston had 14 points, 17 rebounds and five blocked shots to lift Indiana University-Northwest past RMU 66-55 Thursday in the Eagles' opening game at the USCAA Women's Basketball Tournament.

RMU led 34-29 at halftime but made just 8-of-34 field attempts (23.5%) in the second half.  Tiara Perry (sophomore; Maywood, IL) finished with 21 points for Robert Morris.

Jasmine Mack (senior; Alton, IL) added 12 points and LaToya Gipson (junior; Sikeston, MO) scored 11.

Lady Eagles fall at John Wood!

QUINCY, IL - The John Wood College Trail Blazers shot 55.7% for the game and went on to post an 85-63 win over Robert Morris University in a non-conference game.

Jasmine Mack (senior; Alton, IL) led RMU with a game-high 22 points on 8-for-18 shooting and finished with four 3-pointers.  Tiara Perry (sophomore; Maywood, IL) finished with 16 points for the Lady Eagles.

Mack, Eagles top NCAA DII Oakland City!

SPRINGFIELD, IL - Senior point guard Jasmine Mack (Alton, IL; pictured at right) scored 24 points to lead four Robert Morris University scorers with 20 points or more on Sunday as the RMU Lady Eagles defeated Oakland City Lady Oaks 98-87 at Cass Gym.

The Lady Eagles also received contribution from Tiara Perry (22 points), Jorita Wright (21 points), and Latoya Gipson (20 points).

Mack was 8-of-9 from the free throw line and Gipson went 7-of-10 as RMU outscored the Lady Oaks 25-7 from the line.

Wright also grabbed a game-high 17 rebounds as the Lady Eagles had a 46-37 edge on the boards.

"Hoops for Hope"

SPRINGFIELD, IL - The Robert Morris University women's basketball team, currently ranked #1 in the latest USCAA Coaches Poll, held their first annual "Hoops for Hope" on Saturday, January 23 against visiting USCAA opponent #12 ranked St. Mary of the Woods College.  The game was played for Cancer Awareness and the team donned pink uniforms and several hundred dollars were raised to fight breast cancer.  In the end, RMU defeated SMWC 70-56.

The game was tight in the first half with RMU holding a slight 31-29 halftime lead.  In the second half, the Lady Eagles out-rebounded the visiting Pomeroys 30-12 and outscored  them 39-27 to grab the victory.

Tiara Perry (sophomore; Maywood, IL) led all scorers with 20 points and grabbed 11 rebounds.

Latoya Gipson (junior; Sikeston, MO) scored 14 and Jasmine Mack (senior; Alton, IL) hit for 12.  Jorita Wright (freshman; Springfield, IL) contributed with 11 points and 12 boards.

Beal joins Robert Morris Women's Basketball!