Monmouth Advances to MAAC Semis with Win Ove Canisius
ALBANY, N.Y. – Four Hawks scored in double-figures, led by Justin Robinson’s (Lake Katrine, N.Y./Kingston) 16 points, as No. 4 seed Monmouth defeated No. 5 seed Canisius 60-54 on Saturday afternoon at the Times Union Center, to advance to the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference semifinals.
In just their second year in the league, the Hawks advance to their first MAAC semifinals on Sunday to meet top-seeded Iona at 4:30 p.m. on ESPN3. Monmouth defeated Iona 92-89 in West Long Branch in early December and fell 69-68 to the regular season champions in the Hynes Center in late February.
Joining Robinson in double-figures were Deon Jones (Wilmington, Del./Sanford School) and Andrew Nicholas (Wrightsville, Pa./Eastern York), who each netted 11 points and Collin Stewart (Glenville, N.Y./Mekeel Christian Academy) who added 10 points. Jones added a team-high seven rebounds as well.
“I am very proud of my kids. I thought it was a total team effort,” stated head coach King Rice. “I thought Brice Kofane had some unbelievable defensive plays, Deon Jones got us started early, Justin Robinson doing Justin Robinson things and then Red, what can you say about Red, coming in and starting us off with those two threes and just playing great defense down the stretch. Once again, a total team effort by the Hawks.”
Trailing 39-34 with 13:29 remaining, the Hawks used a 13-0 run, which included three-pointers from Robinson and Max DiLeo (Cinnaminson, N.J./Cinnaminson), and a Jones three-point play, to take a 47-39 advantage with 8:30 left. A Robinson jumper reclaimed an eight-point edge, 52-44, with 3:20 showing, before Canisius climbed within 56-54 with 23.2 ticks left on a Kassius Robertson trey, but Jones went 4-for-4 from the free throw line in the final 16.9 to seal the victory.
Monmouth put together an 18-5 run in the first half to take a 25-14 lead with 6:24 left in the stanza, highlighted by 10 points from Stewart, before the Griffs went on a 13-2 spurt to end the half, to tie the game at 27-27 at the break.
Canisius wrapped its run around the half, pushing it to a 21-6 streak over 10:41 of action to take a 35-31 lead with 15:24 left in the contest on a Jamal Reynolds putback.
Monmouth went 20-54 from the floor (37.0%) and held a 35-32 edge in rebounds over the Griffs. The Hawks turned 17 Canisius turnovers into 20 points.
Monmouth went 3-0 versus Canisius this season, with all three games being decided by six points or fewer.
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