Monmouth Hawks (6-6, 0-1 MAAC) vs. Iona Gaels (2-6, 0-1 MAAC)
Sunday, January 5, 2020 - 2:00 p.m. EST
OceanFirst Bank Center, West Long Branch, NJ

TV
ESPN3/Watch ESPN
Play-by-Play: Eddy Occhipinti
Analyst: Steve Bazaz

SCOUTING THE GAELS
The Gaels come in 2-6 with losses in their last four, including in their conference opener on Friday night against Saint Peter's. EJ Crawford and Tajuan Agee lead the way offensively, both scoring in double digits on the year.

IONA ACTING HEAD COACH TRA ARNOLD
Tra Arnold has eight games under his belt on the Gaels sideline, and has posted a 2-6 record in those contests. 

MONMOUTH AT HOME
The Hawks have yet to lose in West Long Branch this year, posting a 3-0 mark in the OceanFirst Bank Center to this point.

IONA ON THE ROAD
Iona is 0-3 in true road games this season, falling at LaSalle, UConn and Colorado. However, both of Iona's wins came in Orlando at a neutral site in the MAAC/ASUN Challenge. 

SERIES NOTES
-The teams met for the first time in 1982.
-Monmouth and Iona have played 15 times in MAAC competition.
-The Hawks and Gaels have met three times in MAAC Tournaments, the most common opponent for MU in the MAAC postseason, with two coming in the finals.
-MU has won three of five matchups in West Long Branch.

MOST NON-CONFERENCE WINS IN THE LEAGUE
Monmouth was tied during non-conference play with Rider for the most non-league victories among MAAC schools this season. Each team won six games in the early part of the schedule.

SOLID PLAY FROM CHAPUT
In the MAAC opener against Siena, Samuel Chaput posted career highs in rebounds with five and steals with three in 26 minutes, as well as coming one assist shy of tying a career best with six helpers.