Peffer canned 12 of his 16 first half points in the last eight minutes before halftime as the Red Devils (4-10) hung close with the Eagles (10-10). The visitors knocked down their first four field goal attempts and six of their first seven to open up a quick 23-13 advantage. The Eagles eventually cooled off a degree or two and Eureka cut the deficit to three before Tyler Moretto sank a jumper just before halftime for a 42-37 lead.
EC shot 56.7 percent in the first half (17-30) compared to 61.3 (19-31) percent for Robert Morris. The Eagles' Corley Lee was everywhere in the first half and nearly had a double-double at halftime, racking up 13 points and nine boards
The Eagles scored the first five points out of halftime to go up 47-37, but the Red Devils would not die easy as they rallied to get within three twice at 49-46 and 55-52.
The Eagles went up by 10 for the fifth time in the game with 4:21 remaining, but Eureka was only down five (73-68) after Peffer connected for his third trey of the night at the 3:15 mark. However, clutch free throw shooting down the stretch enabled the Eagles extend their lead. Their largest lead came at the final horn.
A.J. Richard registered his fifth consecutive double digit scoring game with 13 points on six-of-ten shooting. Senior Luke Sottos added 11 off the bench. Andrew Walton led EC with six rebounds and five steals. Eureka made a season-high 31 field goals en route to shooting 51.7 percent (31-60) for the game.
Lee led Robert Morris with 24 points and 15 caroms. Tim Hahn, Tyler Moretto and Andy Battey all had 13 apiece. The Eagles shot 55.4 percent (31-56) and enjoyed a big advantage at the foul line, outscoring Eureka 20-5.
The Red Devils resume conference play Saturday when they conclude their three-game home stand against Benedictine University. The game will be the second scheduled as part of a women's/men's doubleheader and is slated to start at 3:30 p.m