WEST LONG BRANCH, NJ – Monmouth University Men's Basketball (10-20, 9-8) was defeated by Quinnipiac University (15-12, 10-6) in the home finale on Sunday afternoon at the OceanFirst Bank Center, 68-56. Marcus McClary (Linden, NJ/The Patrick School) posted his second career double-figure effort in the loss, while Cameron Young led all scorers with 25 for the Bobcats.

The QU lead grew to 13 in the second half on Tyrese Willams' triple at 13:32, but Monmouth fought back to cut it to five, scoring the next eight points and making it 50-45 when McClary scored on the fast break. The Bobcats responded with back-to-back threes from Rich Kelly and Williams to extend it back to 13, eventually leading by as many as 17 in the victory.

After Monmouth jumped to a quick 5-0 lead, neither team led by more than a possession for the bulk of the opening half, and things were tied at 23 at 3:47 after Samuel Chaput (Longueuil, Quebec/Saint Anthony's (TX)) got to the rim, From that point forward, QU scored 12 of the final 14 points of the half to take a 10-point lead into the break, with seven of those late points coming from Young.

NOTES AND QUOTES
"Credit to Quinnipiac, they're playing really good ball right now. Baker does an amazing job, Rich Kelly is awesome, Cam [Young] is Cam and their other guys do such a good job of being great role players and that's why they have a very good team. I thought the smaller lineup helped us to get back closer but when they're making shots like that it's tough." – Head Coach King Rice

-Monmouth closes the home slate with a 6-6 record at the OceanFirst Bank Center for the second consecutive season.
-Marcus McClary scored in double digits for the second time in his career, finishing with 12 points.
-Mustapha Traore posted his eighth double-figure game of the season and 10^th of his career.
-Trevon Gross, Jr. made his first career start in the Blue and White.
-Diago Quinn tied a career high with three blocked shots, the most by a Hawk in a game this season.
-Monmouth seniors Diago Quinn and Trevon Gross, Jr. were honored in a pregame ceremony for Senior Day.

NUMBERS CRUNCH
-Monmouth outshot QU from the field, 35.1% to 34.7%.
-The Hawks allowed just four two-point field goals to the Bobcats.
-MU topped Quinnipiac in points off turnovers, 20-12, and points in the paint, 28-8.
-The Hawks were also better off the bench, outscoring the visitors 24-8.
-The game featured seven lead changes and four ties.
-Cameron Young led all scorers for QU with 25 points, while Rich Kelly added 22 on six triples.

UP NEXT
-Monmouth concludes the regular season at Manhattan on Friday night at 7:00 p.m.