MU HOSTS CANISIUS FOR MONDAY MATINEE TO END SERIES

2020-21 Monmouth Basketball Game 5 Preview

Monmouth Hawks (2-2, 2-1 MAAC) vs. Canisius Golden Griffins (1-2, 1-2 MAAC)
Monday, December 28, 2020 - 2:00 p.m. EST
OceanFirst Bank Center, West Long Branch, NJ

TV
ESPN+
Play-by-Play: Eddy Occhipinti
Analyst: Matt Harmon

SCOUTING THE GRIFFS
Canisius earned a split in their season-opening series with Marist, winning the opener before falling to MU in this weekend's first contest. Majesty Brandon leads the Griffs at 16.3 points per game, while Malek Green and Scott Hitchon both score in double digits.

CANISIUS HEAD COACH REGGIE WITHERSPOON
Canisius Head Coach Reggie Witherspoon is in his fifth season with the Griffs, and has 67 wins to his credit with Canisius and 265 overall in his 19-year coaching career.

MONMOUTH AT HOME
Though there will be no fans in the stands, Monmouth has had success at the OceanFirst Bank Center, finishing last season 11-2. MU is 2-2 at home in 2020, having yet to play a road contest.

CANISIUS ON THE ROAD
This weekend marks the first time Canisius hits the road this season, having played just two prior games, both at the Koessler Athletic Center in Buffalo.

SERIES NOTES
-Since becoming MAAC foes, Monmouth holds an 11-6 advantage.
-The teams never met prior to being league rivals in 2013.
-MU holds a 6-2 advantage in games held in West Long Branch.
-Monmouth and Canisius have met twice in MAAC Tournaments, with MU winning in the 2014 quarterfinals and the 2019 semifinals.

HAMMOND, MCCLARY REACH 100 GAMES PLAYED
Hawk seniors Deion Hammond and Marcus McClary played in their 100th career games last night against Canisius. They becoeme the first players on the current roster to reach the mark, and the 43rd and 44th players in school history to play in 100. Senior Melik Martin is just behind them, having played in his 98th contest last night.

RUTTY COMING ON
Despite an offseason injury, Rutty missed no time and hasn't missed a beat, scoring in double figures vs. the Griffs for the third time in his career and shooting a perfect 9-9 from the foul line.

FOSTER TO THE LEFT
Freshman Myles Foster scored eight points, knocking in his first four field goals en route to a 4-5 performance against Canisius to top all MU freshmen in single-game scoring to this point in the year.

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Players Mentioned

#3 Deion Hammond: G; 6' 5"; Senior

#2 Melik Martin: F; 6' 6"; Senior

#13 Marcus McClary: G; 6' 3"; Senior

#0 Myles Foster: F; 6' 7"; Freshman

Players Mentioned

#3 Deion Hammond
: 6' 5"; Senior
: G

#2 Melik Martin
: 6' 6"; Senior
: F

#13 Marcus McClary
: 6' 3"; Senior
: G

#0 Myles Foster
: 6' 7"; Freshman
: F