WEST LONG BRANCH, NJ – Monmouth University Men's Basketball (1-2, 1-1 MAAC) put three in double figures, led by 15 from Deion Hammond (Mitchellville, MD/Riverdale Baptist School), but were just held off by Saint Peter's University (5-3, 3-1 MAAC) Saturday, 78-76.

The visitors kept Monmouth at an arms length early in the second, extending the lead to as many as 10 before MU used an 11-2 run capped by nifty finishes at the rim by both Jarvis Vaughan (Churchville, VA/Massanutten Military Academy) and George Papas (Jersey City, NJ/Union Catholic) to make It a 58-57 game at 8:46. After SPU again got the lead to seven, the Hawks refused to go quietly, with Hammond drilling a three on the move and Papas getting to the basket to again make it a one-point game in the final minute. Doug Edert hit a three from the left side to open the lead to four, and a pair of late Donovann Toatley (Largo, MD/Riverdale Baptist School/Chattanooga) jumpers were not enough as SPU held on to split the weekend.

The Peacocks opened the game by scoring the first 10 points and held that double digit lead for much of the opening stanza until the final minutes. MU scored eight of 10 points to cut it to a five-point game, and after SPU converted a three, Klemen Vuga (Menges, Slovenia/Virginia Episcopal School) converted a pair of foul shots in the final second to send the game to the break at 36-30.

NOTES AND QUOTES

"Give credit to Saint Peter's. Their kids came out and slowed us down from the beginning and just really set the tone for the game. Obviously I like it to go a little bit faster and their press just slowed us down enough." – Head Coach King Rice

"We outrebounded Saint Peter's, so that's a big positive. We were positive assists-to-turnovers. We did not shoot the ball well and that's because of Saint Peter's defense. They did a great job. I loved my teams fight tonight and we'll continue to get better." – King Rice

-Deion Hammond scored in double figures for the third straight game, and led the Hawks in scoring for the second game in a row.
-Donovann Toatley scored in double figures for the second straight game to begin his MU career.
-George Papas has scored in double figures in all three games this season.
-Myles Foster scored his first career basket on a nifty move to the rim.
-MU had a player grab eight rebounds for the third game in a row, with Nikkei Rutty doing so tonight.
-12 different Hawks registered a point tonight, with 11 making a field goal.

NUMBERS CRUNCH
-MU outrebounded SPU 43-38.
-Each team dished out 14 assists.
-Monmouth was within one several times, but never led.
-The Hawks were better off the bench, 35-17.
-SPU was led by Matthew Lee's 15 points, topping five in double figures.

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