Robinson gets 1,000th point as Monmouth Rolls Over Siena 85-69

With 4:25 remaining in the first half, Justin Robinson (Lake Katrine, NY/Kingston) darted to the rim and netted his 1,000^th career point, becoming the 22^nd Hawk in program history to reach the milestone.

He ended the game with 23 points, Deon Jones (Wilmington, DE/Sanford School [Towson]) scored 21 and Monmouth beat Siena Monday at The MAC, 85-69. The Hawks improve to 14-4 on the season and 6-1 in the league, while Siena falls to 11-7 and 4-3 in conference.

“I’m really proud of my team,” said head coach King Rice. “They came and had a great effort out there today. I thought Deon Jones took over in the second half.”

Leading by five at the half, MU came out with a 12-2 run to open the lead to 15, getting nine of those points from Jones including a three to make it 53-38 Monmouth with 16:12 remaining. After a Javion Ogunyemi bucket halted the run, Micah Seaborn (Fort Worth, TX/Prime Prep Academy) took a Robinson feed in transition and hit a three to extend the lead to 56-40.

Siena battled back with a 7-0 spurt including five consecutive from Brett Bisping to trim the deficit to nine, keeping it within four of that margin until the 10:07 mark, when Siena came its closest in the second half at eight on a Lavon Long free throw.

Leading by 11 with 6:49 to play, Collin Stewart (Glenville, NY/Mekeel Christian Academy) knocked home a long ball from the wing and shortly after, Jones put home a corner three to extend the lead to 74-57. Robinson pushed the lead to 19 with 3:49 to play on a dribble drive, and Daniel Pillari (Oceanport, NJ/Shore Regional) checked in with 3:08 remaining and MU up by that margin. Pillari took a feed from the post from Diago Quinn (New York, NY/Lake Forest Academy [IL]) and knocked home a three from in front of the MU bench, his first career points. Pillari was fouled on the next possession and made one of two, and with 36 seconds left, the sophomore pulled up from straight on and nailed a long three, making Monmouth’s lead 19. Siena got a late three from Jimmy Merrill to make the final 85-69.

Robinson’s 1,000^th career point tied the game at 28 with 4:25 to play in the half as the junior worked the baseline before going up and in. The teams traded slim leads the remainder of the half until MU scored the last four of the period on a Robinson jumper and two Chris Brady (Greenlawn, NY/Harborfields) foul shots gave the Hawks a 41-36 halftime lead.

MU came out hot, taking a 15-4 lead behind eight points from Robinson. Jones again extended the lead to 11 with 12:31 to play in the half before Siena cut in. Kenny Wormley’s layup at 7:45 trimmed it to four, and Ogunyemi tipped one in to bring the Saints within two. Nico Clareth found himself open on the left side, hitting a go-ahead three with 5:55 remaining in the half and adding to it with a jumper on the next trip. MU tied it on a Zac Tillman (Yeadon, PA/Shipley School) free throw before leading at the break.

Robinson scored 23, topping 20 for the 11^th time this season, on a career high 11 field goals. He added four assists and three steals, while Jones netted 21 on 8-for-11 and a perfect 3-for-3 from deep. Je’lon Hornbeak (Arlington, TX/Prime Prep Academy [Oklahoma]) also found double-figures with 10, while Brady pitched in eight boards and three blocks. MU shot 46.9% from the field, 42.3% from deep and 77.8% from the foul line. The Hawks forced 21 Siena turnovers and spun them into 26 points, while also outscoring Siena’s bench 33-25.

Siena posted a 40.3% shooting percentage from the floor, 37.5% from deep and 72.2% from the stripe. The Saints were led by Ogunyemi’s double-double of 14 points and 10 boards, while Clareth scored 15 and added six rebounds.

Monmouth is back on the floor Thursday night for a visit to Draddy Gymnasium for an 8:00 p.m. tip with Manhattan on ESPN3.