BUFFALO, NY – Monmouth University Men's Basketball (7-1, 2-0 MAAC) completed a sweep of the league's Western New York road trip, topping Canisius College (2-7, 0-2 MAAC) Sunday afternoon behind George Papas' first career double-double and a career-best 24 points from Walker Miller. MU has now won seven games in a row, and start 2-0 in the MAAC for the first time since 2016-17.
 
Canisius opened the second half on a 10-0 run and got within eight several times, but MU always had an answer, regaining the lead to 16 points midway through the period. A trio of Armon Harried free throws made it eight again with just over four minutes remaining, but Shavar Reynolds immediately converted a three-point play before Walker Miller's triple at 1:32 iced the 2-0 weekend for MU.
 
Myles Foster's bucket at 13:46 of the opening half ignited a furious run that saw the Hawks score the next 19 points and keep Canisius off the scoreboard completely for 9:26. Monmouth's lead grew as large as 24, eventually taking a 21-point lead to the locker room.
 
NOTES AND QUOTES
 
"It's a league road win after we got the first one, we're able to get the second one and we're leaving Western New York very happy. These guys just love the thought of playing basketball and they get along so well, nobody wants to be the weak link on gameday. They've showed up every day and that's why we can continue to get better." – Head Coach King Rice
 
"I wanted to set the tone early and try to get in a groove, I wanted to get back to what I do well. There's going to be lots of ups and downs this year and I think we just want to keep grinding to get to where we want to be." – Center Walker Miller

-Monmouth opens up 2-0 in MAAC play for the first time since 2016-17 and third time ever.
-MU sweeps the Western New York swing for the first time since 2016-17 and third time ever.
-The seven-game winning streak the Hawks are on is the longest since 2017.
-MU has won five consecutive road games for the first time since 2017.
-The Hawks have won six in a row over Canisius.
-Monmouth has won twice in a row at the Koessler Athletic Center.
-George Papas posted his first career double-double with a career best 11 rebounds.
-Walker Miller's 24 points marks a career best.
-Shavar Reynolds scored in double figures for the sixth straight game.
-MU's 56% from the field is a season best, and tops since shooting 58.7% against Canisius on December 28, 2020.
-Klemen Vuga made his season debut for the Hawks.

NUMBERS CRUNCH
-Monmouth outshot Canisius 56% to 37.3%.
-MU outrebounded the Griffs 36-28.
-The Blue and White dominated the paint, 44-18.
-Eight blocks is Monmouth's season high.

UP NEXT
-Monmouth heads to Carnesecca Arena Thursday night to take on Big East foe St. John's at 8:30 p.m. The game will air on FS1 and on the radio via the Monmouth Digital Network.