WEST LONG BRANCH, NJ – Jack Collins and Jack Holmstrom each scored in double-figures to top their career bests, but Monmouth University Men's Basketball (0-4) was edged in the home opener Thursday by Norfolk State University (3-2), 64-59.
 
Norfolk State opened an 11-point lead in the second half but Monmouth fought back, with Collins and Holmstrom hitting consecutive threes before Holmstrom cleaned up a miss to make it a three-point contest. After the Spartans worked it back to 11, a 6-0 run capped by a Jakari Spence triple again trimmed it to three. Collins made two more triples, the final a corner three at 7:35 to draw Monmouth within one. The Hawks continued to battle, getting multiple looks to tie it, but NSU held on for the five-point victory.
 
After NSU scored the first seven points, Monmouth battled back with Collins knocking home a three to cut it to five. MU then used a 13-0 run and held Norfolk State off the board for 7:16 to take an eight-point lead. The Spartans went on a run of their own to take a 10-point lead to the half.
 
NOTES AND QUOTES

"I thought my kids tonight grew up a whole bunch. I'm not big on the 'proud' word and hate losing and all that, but our kids really, really fought. For these kids to come out here and compete against an NCAA Tournament team, which they are, with a bunch of older guys that have been together and we were right there and had a chance." – Head Coach King Rice
 
"I think that the main thing going into this game was just to bring the fight. Just be intense for a full 40 and just put it all on the line and accept whatever the outcome is because we put our best foot forward." – Junior Jack Holmstrom
 
-Monmouth is now 8-4 in home openers under King Rice.
-Jack Collins topped his career best with 14 points and four threes.
-Jack Holmstrom notched his career-high with 13 points, his first career double-figure effort.
-Myles Foster's 11 rebounds is his second double-figure rebounding game this season and the second most in his career.
-Klemen Vuga set a career-best with nine rebounds.
-Jayden Doyle, Jack Collins, Amaan Sandhu and Andrew Ball made their first home appearances as Hawks.
 
NUMBERS CRUNCH
-Monmouth won the second half, 37-32.
-MU was better in the paint, 26-24.
-The Hawks dominated the glass, 47-35.
-MU was better off turnovers, 16-15.
 
UP NEXT
-Monmouth is at Colgate Monday night at 7:00 p.m. on ESPN+.