WEST LONG BRANCH, N.J. ? Monmouth, which connected on a season-high 54.1% from the floor, earned a 59-50 victory over Princeton, on Sunday afternoon, in men's college basketball. Paced by Dutch Gaitley's near double-double, Monmouth snapped its seven-game slide and improved to 3-10 overall. Princeton, which has lost 10 straight, falls to 2-10 on the year.
With the victory, Monmouth earned its first victory at home on the season, snapping a seven-game skid in Boylan Gym, dating back to last season. Gaitley, who tallied a career-high12 points, grabbed a career-best nine rebounds, while dishing out three assists in the triumph.
After Nick DelTufo's consecutive baskets gave Monmouth its first lead, the Hawks opened a 12-6 advantage with 12:22 left when Yaniv Simpson drilled a corner three-pointer. Princeton pulled within 12-11, with 9:40 showing, but Monmouth responded with a 16-6 run, capped by Dutch Gaitley's three-point play, to corral an 11-point cushion with 1:54 remaining until the break.
Gaitley, who scored all nine of his first half points over the final 5:55 of the stanza, gave Monmouth a 30-19 edge with 1:10 showing, on his baseline turnaround jumper. After Zach Finley's layup made the lead single-digits, Jhamar Youngblood connected on two free throws, giving Monmouth a 32-21 lead at the intermission, just its third lead at the break all season.
Princeton opened the second half by scoring the first five points out of the break, when Noah Savage drained a wing trey with 18:54 left, pulling the Tigers within 32-26.
The Hawks answered with a 16-6 run over the next 6:10, highlighted by Whitney Coleman's drive and foul shot, and R.J. Rutledge's bank shot, giving Monmouth a 48-32 lead.
Monmouth pushed the lead to 18 points, 55-37, with 7:21 remaining on Coleman's three-pointer off an inbounds play, capping his own five-point spurt.
Gaitley's bank shot with 4:29 left put Monmouth ahead 59-42, before the Tigers netted the final eight points of the game to account for the final 59-50 tally.
Coleman led the Hawks with 13 points, hitting 4-of-6 from the field, including two three-pointers. Youngblood dropped in 10 points for the Hawks, who have won two straight games over Princeton for the first time in the in-state rivalry.
Kyle Koncz paced Princeton with a game-high 14 points, while Finley finished with 12 points for the Tigers, who hit 40.0% from the field.
Monmouth returns to action on January 3, when the Hawks travel to Robert Morris for an NEC contest in Moon Township, Pa.
