After losing three games in the Axe ‘Em Classic to fall to 0-8 on the season, the men’s basketball team upset Seton Hall at the Prudential Center on Saturday Dec. 31 to pick up their first win of the season.
For the second time in the last three seasons, the Hawks picked up their first win in their ninth game of the season. Prior to the victory, the Hawks played three games in three days at the Axe ‘Em Classic in Texas.
The first game was played on Thursday, Nov. 21 against Youngstown State. After controlling the game for most of the first half, Monmouth held a 42-31 lead early in the second half. However, Youngstown State went on a 12-0 run to take a 43-42 lead, and control the game from there. The Penguins outscored the Hawks 29-20 the rest of the way and take a 72-62 come-from-behind victory. Forward Jaret Valencia led the way for Monmouth, as he scored a season-high 18 points in the loss. Guard Adbi Bashir Jr. scored 14 points, and guard Madison Durr scored 11 points.
The next day, the Hawks took on the hosts of the event, Stephen F. Austin. Once again, Monmouth jumped out to a quick start, as they took a 12-2 lead over the Lumberjacks early. However, this was the largest lead either team had all game. Stephen F. Austin had the lead halfway through the first half, setting up a back and forth affair. The Hawks and Lumberjacks exchanged the lead multiple times throughout the game, but in the end, Stephen F. Austin pulled out a 72-67 victory. Bashir finished with 30 points, his second game of the season finishing with 30 or more points. Valencia scored 10 points, while guard Aric Demings scored a season high 9 points off the bench.
On the final day of the event, Monmouth would play their third game in three days against Presbyterian. For the first 15 minutes of the game, no team led by more than five points. However, the Blue Hose went on a 14-4 run to finish the first half. After that run, Monmouth trailed by no less than nine points for the rest of the game. Presbyterian won the game by a final score of 71-61. Guard Jack Collins had his best game of the season for the Hawks, as he finished with 25 points. Guard Justin Ray scored 12 points, tying his career high which he set in the season opener against Michigan State.
After going 0-3 in the Axe ‘Em Classic, the team had a week off before returning to action Saturday against Seton Hall in the Prudential Center. Prior to this game, the Hawks were 0-14 against Seton Hall all-time. However, things were different on this day. The first half was mostly back and forth, with the largest lead being a 26-18 Hawks lead with approximately five minutes left in the half. However, the Pirates finished the half on a 9-3 run. Monmouth entered the second half with a 29-27 lead, and they did not look back. The Hawks started the half on a 12-2 run and took a 39-29 lead. Seton Hall bounced back and responded with another 9-3 run to cut the lead to four, but that was the closest the Pirates got for the entire game. Monmouth pulled away and solidified a massive 63-51 victory over Seton Hall, claiming their first win of the season against a school from a power conference. The upset was led by Bashir, who scored 28 points. The sophomore is now averaging 20.4 points per game on the season, which is ranked 24th in the entirety of Division I men’s basketball. Collins scored 13 points, and Valencia finished with 11.
Looking to build off momentum from the Seton Hall win, the Hawks return to action on Wednesday, Dec. 4 as they travel to Lehigh. They will then travel to Princeton the following Tuesday. After eleven days off, the Hawks have their home opener on December 21st against the Fairfield Stags.
