BIG NIGHT FOR CHAPUT
A four-year contributor, Sam Chaput took advantage of his first start of the season to post his first double-figure game in nearly two years against Princeton (first since January 29, 2020 at Saint Peter's). He also led MU with four steals, the most by a Hawk in a game this season. 

THREE STRAIGHT KEY WINS
MU's win at St. Joe's marked the first ever true road win over an Atlantic 10 opponent in school history. The Hawks topped SJU by 12 for King Rice's third win over an A10 school and the first on the road. Monmouth then beat Princeton at home to knock off a Tigers team that had already stunned high-major schools on the road in Oregon State and South Carolina. The Hawks won their third critical matchup in a row by topping Cincinnati who had already beaten a ranked Illinois team. 

STIFLING SECOND HALF DEFENSE
The second-half lockdown against Princeton was one one of MU's best defensive halves of the King Rice era. The Hawks allowed just 18 points on 24.1% shooting, including just 2-12 (16.7%) from three and surrendered just three foul shots in the period. The Tigers made just one layup in the final 8:48, a basket with 59 seconds left in a game that was already decided. MU then locked up Cincinnati in the second half to just 23 points and 14.3% from deep in the final 20 minutes. 

WELCOME WALKER 
Graduate center Walker Miller has burst onto the scene after playing four seasons as a walk on at North Carolina. Miller has scored in double figures in every game but one, and is MU's leading rebounder at over eight per game. He posted his best rebounding performance at MU by grabbing 12 at Saint Joseph's. 

PRESEASON ALL-MAAC
Two Hawks were named to Preseason All-MAAC teams, with top returning scorer George Papas earning First Team and transfer Shavar Reynolds Jr. earning Third Team. Papas, a second-teamer a season ago, becomes the fourth Hawk to ever earn Preseason All-MAAC First Team, joining Justin Robinson, Micah Seaborn and Deion Hammond. Reynolds was named to a preseason team despite not suiting up for the Hawks yet after an impressive season a year ago with Seton Hall. 

LAST TIME OUT
Monmouth beat Cincinnati for its seventh high-major win under King Rice, holding the Bearcats to 23 second-half points, by a 61-59 count behind 18 points from Marcus McClary to lead three in double figures. 

WHAT'S TO COME
The Hawks wrap up the early season MAAC Western New York swing Sunday when they head to Buffalo to take on Canisius. Tip from the Koessler Athletic Center is set for 1:00 p.m.