Monmouth University has announced its campus-wide indoor event COVID-19 policies.
 
The following policies are in effect until further notice:

1.    All fans 18 and over are required to provide proof of vaccination or a negative COVID test administered by a doctor's office or a clinic within 72 hours of the event time for indoor Athletic events. Home test kit results will not be accepted.
2.    All event audiences must wear a mask that completely covers the nose and mouth of the participant. Face shields are not acceptable. This includes fans from 2-17 years of age.
3.    Athletic events held in the OceanFirst Bank Center will be permitted to have food in the stands as long as masks remain on when the participant is not actively consuming food or beverages. Masks must be worn otherwise.
 
Men's and women's basketball season ticket holders will be mailed (and emailed) instructions on how to obtain a vaccine credential which will require them to show their vaccine cards once and receive a credential to speed up entrance to events. Season ticket holders who are not vaccinated will need to show proof a negative test within 72 hours of the event for every event attended.
 
Additionally, there will be separate entrances for students, season ticket holders and the general public. More information on those locations will be available on MonmouthHawks.com.

-mark Monmouth's second victory of the season
-be King Rice's third ever win over Lehigh
-move MU over .500 on the season (2-1)
-move MU to 9-2 in home openers under King Rice 
-mark Monmouth's first home win since January 16, 2020
-be the Hawks seventh straight victory at home 
-count as the 1,009th win in program history
-signify the first time Monmouth has beaten Lehigh in West Long Branch since back on November 19, 2010
-move the Blue and White to 25-21 all-time against current Patriot League members
-be MU's first win over a Patriot League member since November 5, 2019 at Lehigh
-mark Rice's eighth win over a Patriot opponent
-give the Hawks a 2-1 start for the first time since 2017-18
-be the 163rd of Rice's head coaching career

Marcus McClary posted his career-best scoring game at Towson, netting 16 points on 7-12 from the floor while playing all but 57 seconds of the contest. He also added five rebounds and a pair of assists on the night. 

GEORGE BEING GEORGE

George Papas posted his fourth career 20+ point game at Towson, finishing with 22 to lead Monmouth. It is the third highest scoring game of Papas' career, and just the second time he has scored in the 20's with a pair of 32-point contests to his credit. Papas hit all five of Monmouth's triples in the win. 

WHAT A START

Monmouth exploded out of the gates at Towson, opening the contest on a 17-0 run and ultimately leading 24-1. The Hawks did not allow a point for the first 6:48 and did not allow a field goal in the opening 8:34 in building a 23-point advantage. 

STARTING OFF HOT FROM THE FOUL LINE

Monmouth has opened the season with just seven missed free throws in two games, shooting 86.3% on 51 attempts. MU shot 93.3% from the foul line in the season opener at Charlotte, going 14-15 and missing just once in the first half before a perfect 10-10 showing in the final 20 minutes. Additionally, Monmouth closed out the win at Towson by going 9-10 in the final 2:30 from the stripe, with the only miss the final one with just five seconds remaining in an 8-point game. 

SHORTENED ROTATION

A coach that uses a deep bench, King Rice played just eight players in the season opener at Charlotte. That marks the least since just eight Hawks saw time on December 8, 2018 at Albany. Current Hawks Nikkei Rutty and Marcus McClary started that game for MU. Rice used just one additional player off his bench against Towson in guard Jack Holmstrom for 3:41. 

BIG MYLES

Monmouth sophomore big Myles Foster grabbed seven rebounds in the win at Towson, a career-best mark for the Brooklyn native. He was among the games top rebounders, and cleaned up an offensive carom for a key late basket. 

STIFLING DEFENSE

MU has put together consecutive games of strong defense. MU limited Towson to 31.7% and 31.6% from deep. The Hawks got back into the game on Tuesday night thanks to their defense, which held Charlotte overall to 38.2% and 22.2% from downtown, including 20% from deep in the second half. The 49ers were just 6-27 from three, and accumulated 20 points at the free throw line, while the Tigers totaled 27 points from the foul line.