NEW BRITAIN, CONN. - Monmouth, which went 1-for-17 from three-point range, dropped a 66-44 decision at Central Connecticut State in Northeast Conference action on Thursday night in Detrick Gym.
The Hawks, who shot 28.3% from the floor, fell to 9-12 overall and 5-4 in the NEC, while the Blue Devils improved to 6-14 overall and 3-6 in the league.
Monmouth, which grabbed an 8-5 lead out of the gate, paced by a pair of baskets from Ed Waite, surrendered a 10-0 spurt to the Blue Devils and trailed 15-8 with 12:55 remaining. The Hawks, who were scoreless for a 6:12-stretch, stopped the CCSU run on R.J. Rutledge's drive with 10:48 showing, and pulled within 17-16 on Nick DelTufo's drive, with 6:34 left.
After Monmouth climbed within one, the Blue Devils responded with a 13-2 run over the remainder of the half to coral a 30-18 lead at the intermission.
Out of the break, a layup by Waite, and baseline jump shot from Will Campbell and Whitney Coleman's three-pointer, pulled Monmouth within 32-25 at the 17:59 mark.
The Blue Devils answered with an 11-2 run to take a 43-27 lead, on Seymore's fifth three-pointer, with 14:40 remaining. CCSU extended its run to 17-4 to grab a 49-29 lead at 11:30.
The Hawks, who went 7:30 in between field goals, pulled within 49-33, on consecutive Coleman baskets, with 10:13 left, but the Blue Devils rebuilt a 20-point advantage on Shemik Thompson's jumper with 4:24 left, making the score 60-40.
Waite led three Hawks in double-digits scoring, posting 13 points, while Coleman added 11 and Campbell chipped in with 10 points.
Monmouth returns to action on Saturday, January 30, when the Hawks make a first-ever trip to Bryant University in Northeast Conference play. Tip off in Chace Arena is set for 3:30 p.m.
