Rider Broncs (5-12, 3-5 MAAC) at Monmouth Hawks (9-6, 4-2 MAAC)
Thursday, Jan. 27, 2022 – 7 p.m. EST
OceanFirst Bank Center, West Long Branch, N.J.
 
TV
ESPN3
Play-by-Play: Eddy Occhinpinti
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
-The Hawks last victory over the Broncs came on Feb. 3, 2018 when Monmouth bested Rider, 63-56 at OceanFirst Bank Center.
-Defeating the Broncs would give Monmouth 10 overall wins on the year, the first season with double-digit victories for the program since the 2018-19 campaign. It would also be Monmouth's sixth home win of the year, a feat that hasn't been achieved since the 2018-19 season.
-Monmouth is 2-1 during its current homestand, but is coming off a 61-54 home loss to Fairfield this past Monday.
-Rider, dropped back-to-back home tilts to Niagara and Siena last week, after winning two straight home games at Canisius and Niagara the previous week.   
 
INSIDE THE SERIES
-Monday's matchup between Monmouth and Rider marks the 53rd all-time meeting between the two sides.
-Rider has won seven consecutive meetings against Monmouth, including a 44-41 victory in Atlantic City in the opening round of the MAAC Tournament last season. Six of those seven games were decided by double digits.
 
VANDERHOOPING
Sophomore guard Ariana Vanderhoop has been a spark on both ends of the floor for the Hawks over their last three outings. The Boston native is averaging 10.3 points, 3.7 rebounds, 2.0 assists and 2.3 steals per contest, while shooting the ball at a 42-percent clip from the field. It is the best three-game offensive stretch of Vanderhoop's young career at Monmouth.
 
REELING IN THE BOARDS
The Hawks currently rank third in the MAAC in rebounds per game (38.3) and are one of just five teams in the conference that holds a positive rebounding margin. Monmouth has outrebounded five of its last six opponents, with the lone exception coming against Marist when the two teams tied with 31 boards apiece. Over that six-game stretch, the Hawks are outrebounding the opposition, 232-192, good for a +1.2 margin.
 
DEFENDING THE PERIMETER
Monmouth currently ranks second in the MAAC and is tied for 12th in Division I with Stony Brook in opponent 3-point field goal percentage. Opponents are shooting just 25 percent from deep opposite the Hawks. Monmouth has held nine of its previous 10 opponents under 30 percent from beyond the arc. The Hawks' last five opponents are 14-67 (.208) from long range. Monmouth has held 11 of its 15 opponents this season to five or less 3-point makes.
 
A NOSE FOR THE BALL
Despite being the shortest member of the Monmouth women's basketball team at 5-foot-4, graduate transfer Stella Clark has made a significant impact in the rebounding department. Clark currently leads the team in rebounds with 6.2 per game. The Sea Girt, N.J., native had a career-best 17-rebound performance against Sacred Heart on Dec. 2. The 17 boards were the most by a Monmouth player since Alexa Middleton '20 reeled in 18 against Niagara on Jan. 18, 2020. Clark is currently just one of five active Division I point guards with over 500 career rebounds.