NKU-Robert Morris game part of point-shaving charges
A former Robert Morris University men’s basketball player was one of 26 people indicted Thursday, Jan. 15, in a college basketball point-shaving scheme. Part of the charges involve a Robert Morris game against Northern Kentucky University in 2024.
Markeese Hastings, 25, from Grand Rapids, Mich., is one of 20 players accused of taking bribes from fixers in the federal indictment. He played for Robert Morris during the 2023-24 season and was the team’s leading scorer.
According to the indictment, which was released by the Department of Justice, Hastings and two unnamed teammates shaved points during two RMU games late in the 2023-24 season.
The first one was Feb. 28, 2024, when RMU hosted NKU at the UPMC Events Center in Moon Township, Pa. According to the indictment, NKU was approximately a 1.5-point favorite in the first half of that game, and fixers wagered $256,000 on numerous bets related to that spread.
NKU won the first half by 19 in that game, 42-23, and won the game 70-60. The indictment alleges that Hastings and his two teammates intentionally underperformed in the first half, and with no money on the line, played much better in the second half and outscored NKU, 37-28.
Hastings, who averaged over 14 points per game that season, had 8 points that night on 4-of-7 shooting. He added four rebounds and two assists. NKU also defeated RMU that season at home, 77-59, on Nov. 29, 2023. Hastings was RMU’s leading scorer in that game with 14 points.
According to the charges, Hastings and his two teammates did the same things during RMU’s loss to Purdue Fort Wayne March 5, 2024, in the Horizon League Tournament.
After both games, Hastings allegedly met personally with one of the fixers to collect a bribe payment.
NKU finished with an 18-15 record that season and RMU 10-22.
NKU officials did not immediately return requests for comment. The indictment was announced a few hours before the next game for the current NKU men’s basketball team, as NKU was to host Detroit Mercy Jan. 15 at Truist Arena.
This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: NCAA point shaving charges involves NKU-Robert Morris game
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