WEST LONG BRANCH, N.J. - Sophomore Will Campbell connected on the go-ahead and game-icing three-pointers, to propel Monmouth to a 67-62 victory over Bryant on Saturday night, in Northeast Conference action. The Hawks, who have won four straight, improve to 7-9 overall and 3-1 in the NEC, as Campbell notched a game-high 19 points.
Trailing 62-60 after two straight Bryant three-point trips, with 4:46 on the clock, Campbell's three-pointer in transition of an extra pass from Justin Sofman, gave Monmouth a 64-62 lead with 1:56 remaining.
With 49 seconds left, the Bulldogs' Michael Chroney's corner three was blocked by Campbell, allowing Monmouth to call timeout with 20.7 ticks left. Out of the timeout, with seven seconds on the shot clock, James Hett dribbled to the far wing, handed the ball off to Campbell, who drilled his fifth trifecta - pushing the Hawks in front 67-62.
Monmouth, which opened the game with a Travis Taylor dunk, went ahead 5-2 on Whitney Coleman's wing three-pointer, but the Bulldogs answered with an 11-2 run, capped by Adam Parzych's second trey, to take a 13-7 advantage. After an Ed Waite drive stopped the run, Bryant went ahead 18-9 on a pair of Parzych free throws with 13:58 remaining in the half.
Trailing by nine, Sofman's wing trifecta started an 8-0 spurt for the Hawks, as Monmouth climbed within 18-17 at 11:35.
Bryant answered an 8-2 run to hold the Hawks back, and claim a 26-19 lead with 9:10 showing, as Nick Pontes connected on consecutive layups.
A pair of three-pointers, from Sofman and Campbell, pulled the Blue and White within 29-27, while Taylor's offensive rebound and putback knotted the contest at 29-29 with 6:45 showing. In the next possession, Taylor knocked down a free throw to give Monmouth its first lead, 30-29, since the 18:45 mark.
The Hawks' run went to 14-3 over 3:36 as Campbell's three-pointer gave Monmouth a 33-29 cushion, but Barry Latham's corner trey pulled Bryant within 35-34 with 3:38 until the break, and Michael Chroney's corner trey with 30 seconds left, knotted the score at 37-37 at the intermission.
The Bulldogs' pair of three-pointers - to Monmouth's solo trifecta, put Bryant ahead 43-40 with 18:15 out of the break, but the Hawks answered with an 8-0 spurt, behind a Hett three-pointer, and Taylor's three-point play to take a 48-43 with 16:29 on the clock.
Taylor, with a toe on the arc, put Monmouth in front 50-45, and a Dutch Gaitley free throw gave the Hawks their biggest lead, 51-45, with 15:02 showing.
Back-to-back baskets from Vlad Kondratyev pulled Bryant within 51-49 with 11:17 left, while Parzych's fourth three-pointer trimmed the Monmouth lead to 57-56 with 7:40 left.
With 7:15 on the clock, Bryant was whistled for an intentional foul, which allowed Taylor to give the Hawks a 58-56 lead on Taylor's free throw. On the next possession, Campbell's steal lead to a fast break basket on Sofman's tip-in, as Monmouth claimed a 60-56 edge with 6:30 remaining.
Taylor went 6-for-11 from the field for 16 points and seven rebounds, while Sofman added 11 points. Hett tied a career-high with nine assists, while Gaitley grabbed a season-best 11 rebounds.
The Bulldogs, who average 5.3 made three-pointers a contest entering the game, went 10-for25 from beyond the arc.
Monmouth, which struggled from the free throw line, went 7-for-16, but held a 34-27 edge on the boards.
Monmouth - on a four-game win streak for the first time since 2006-07, returns to action on Thursday, January 14, when the Hawks travel to Loretto, Pennsylvania for a Northeast Conference contest at Saint Francis University. Tip is set for 7:30 p.m.
POSTGAME TRANSCRIPTS
1/9/10 VS. BRYANT
MONMOUTH HEAD COACH DAVE CALLOWAY
Opening Remarks:
"We made more plays than not tonight. We're getting better. They [Bryant] shot the ball and attacked us well. We stepped up the defense in the second half. I have confidence in our guys."
GUARD WILL CAMPBELL:
"When they took the lead, I was concentrating on defense, telling my team to communicate."
FORWARD TRAVIS TAYLOR
"You've got to play every game like it's your last. Play hard no matter who you're playing. It feels good to win, but we've got to stay focused and keep winning."
BRYANT HEAD COACH TIM O'SHEA
Opening Remarks:
"It was a good effort on our part. We really gave our all tonight. I told the guys to feel like we won the game. I have no problem with their effort."
On Will Campbell
"I give him credit."
