WEST LONG BRANCH, NJ – Monmouth outscored Albany by 17 in the second half and were led by 18 points from Ray Salnave (Elmont, NY/Benjamin N. Cardozo) to knock off previously unbeaten Albany on Monday night, 81-73. Four Hawks worked into double figures in the game to snap Monmouth's three-game losing streak.

Albany's lead grew as large as 10 in the second half, but MU came within four several times, including trimming the deficit to one three times. The Hawks eventually broke through on Micah Seaborn's (Fort Worth, TX/Prime Prep Academy) heavily guarded three to tie the game. The game went back and forth until Zac Tillman (Yeadon, PA/Shipley School) scored with under 3:10 left, and MU held the lead by going 10-of-12 from the line in the final three minutes.

Monmouth jumped to a 19-13 lead when Pierre Sarr (Dakar, Senegal/Roselle Catholic) sliced to the rim, but after a timeout, Albany responded with a 9-0 run to take the lead. In his first game back from injury, Seaborn nailed a triple to tie the game at 22. Albany ended the half on a 16-7 push, highlighted by a 9-2 stretch with three baskets from Great Danes guard David Nichols.

NOTES AND QUOTES
"I've been extremely hard on my kids the past few weeks, but I continue to tell them that they are the right kids at the right time for us to have success." – Head Coach King Rice

"How Ray [Salnave] played today is just scratching the surface of how good he can be. This is how good he is and I have him in a big role at this point in his career but he's ready for the challenge." – King Rice

"I used last game as motivation to come out tonight and fight harder for my guys. The defensive end helped me offensively tonight, and I try to bring energy on defense." – Ray Salnave

-Ray Salnave netted a career-high 18 points, including 13 in the second half.
-Zac Tillman was one point off a career-high, and worked into double-figures for the first time since February 26, 2016 against Rider.
-Four Hawks worked into double figures for the second time in a row.
-In his first game after missing two, Micah Seaborn was a perfect 3-for-3.
-The Hawks are now 3-1 all-time against Albany.
-MU handed Albany its first loss of the season after coming in 6-0.
-Monmouth scored 52 points in the second half, their most points in a half this season.
-The Hawks pick up their first win of the season when trailing at halftime.
-Deion Hammond has now scored in double figures in four of his first seven collegiate games.
-MU moves to 18-13 all-time against current members of the America East.
-Monmouth started its sixth different starting lineup in seven games, with Ray Salnave and Austin Tilghman teaming up to start in the backcourt for the first time.
-Salnave made his second start, and first since opening night.

NUMBERS CRUNCH
-The Hawks went 10-for-12 in the final three minutes from the free throw line.
-Monmouth outscored Albany's bench 33-8.
-Nine different Hawks scored in the game.
-Monmouth outscored the Great Danes by 17 in the second half.
-MU outshot Albany 50.0% to 48.1% from the field.
-MU held Albany to 0-5 from three in the second half.

UP NEXT
-Monmouth returns to action on Saturday at the XL Center in Hartford, CT when they take on UConn at 4:00 p.m.