Canisius Golden Griffins (2-13, 0-6 MAAC) at Monmouth Hawks (8-5, 3-1 MAAC)
Saturday, Jan. 22, 2022 – 2 p.m. EST
OceanFirst Bank Center, West Long Branch, N.J.
 
TV
ESPN+
Play-by-Play: Greg Mescall
Analyst: Ali Jaques
 
Monmouth Notes
 
MONMOUTH COVID-19 POLICIES
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
 
OPENING TIP
-A win against the Golden Griffins would put the Hawks at 4-1 in MAAC play. Monmouth has not started 4-1 in conference action since the 2002-03 squad went 4-1 in the first five games as a member of the NEC. 
-Monmouth currently sits one win shy of tying its season win total from the 2019-20 campaign when the Hawks finished 9-22 overall.
-The Hawks will look to claim back-to-back home wins for the second time this season. Monmouth hasn't posted two consecutive home wins on separate occasions in the same season since 2017-18.
-Monmouth has won four of its last five games and is fresh off a 61-56 home victory over Niagara on Jan. 20.
-Canisius is in search of its first win since Nov. 23 when the Golden Griffins bested Detroit Mercy, 64-55, in Buffalo, N.Y. The Golden Griffins have yet to win a road game this season in six tries.
 
INSIDE THE SERIES
-Saturday's matchup between Monmouth and Canisius marks the 18th all-time meeting between the two sides.
-Canisius won both contests during the 2019-20 season after the Hawks went 2-1 versus the Golden Griffins in the 2018-19 campaign that included a 64-53 victory in the quarterfinal round of the MAAC Tournament in Albany, N.Y.
 
CRASHING THE BOARDS
Monmouth dominated on the glass against Niagara on Jan. 20, outrebounding the Purple Eagles, 50-35. It was the Hawks' largest rebounding margin in a game (+15) this season and the largest since March 9, 2021 when Monmouth outrebounded Rider, 51-32 (+19). The Hawks have corralled 50 or more boards in a game twice this year, the most in a single season since the 2019-20 team did it two times.
 
DEFENDING THE PERIMETER
Monmouth currently leads the MAAC and is tied for 10th in Division I with Sacred Heart in opponent 3-point field goal percentage. Opponents are shooting just 24 percent from deep opposite the Hawks. Monmouth has held each of its previous eight opponents under 30 percent from beyond the arc. The Hawks' last three opponents are 5-35 (.143) from long range. Monmouth has held 10 of its 13 opponents this season to five or less 3-point makes.
 
IN EXCLUSIVE COMPANY
Through Monmouth's first 13 games, the Hawks currently hold an 8-5 overall record. Head coach Ginny Boggess is the third-fastest head coach in program history to reach eight wins in his or her inaugural season at the helm. Michele Baxter (11 games – 2004-05) and Mickey McGlade (12 games – 1984-85) are the only two that rank ahead of Boggess.
 
ON THE ATTACK IN THE MAAC
Monmouth opened the 2021-22 MAAC slate with back-to-back wins over Iona and Quinnipiac. It was the first time in program history that the Hawks started MAAC play with consecutive wins. The last time Monmouth claimed two straight victories to begin conference play was during the 2010-11 season when the Hawks were a member of the NEC and bested Central Connecticut State and Bryant. Monmouth currently sits at 3-1 in MAAC contests, the program's best start to conference play since the 2010-11 team started 3-1 in the NEC.