Robert Morris holds off St. Francis (Pa.) 60-57

Mar 8, 2014, 04:46 pm

MOON TOWNSHIP, Pa. -- Karvel Anderson and Lucky Jones came up big again for top-seeded Robert Morris, with 21 and 18 points, respectively, but clutch free throws by David Appolon preserved a 60-57 victory over sixth-seeded St. Francis (Pa.) in a Northeast Conference semifinal on Saturday.

The Colonials (21-12) advance to Tuesday's championship for the fifth time in six years, facing fourth-seeded Mount St. Mary's (15-16).

St. Francis (10-21) chewed up a 10-point deficit late and twice came within a point -- 55-54 on a Ronnie Drinnon dunk and 57-56 on a pair of Ben Millaud-Meunier free throws with 1:35 left. Earl Brown scored 18 for the Red Flash and Millaud-Meunier 15.

Appolon, who had not been to the free-throw line all game, was fouled twice in the last minute and hit 3 of 4.

Anthony Myers-Pate deflected a pass meant for St. Francis' Malik Harmon, throwing off his half-court 3 at the buzzer.