SYRACUSE, NY – Monmouth University Men's Basketball had a lead in the second half and got a career-best 20 points from freshman Jack Collins in a hard-fought effort at Syracuse University Monday night, ultimately falling to the Orange 86-71.
 
Down six, Monmouth used a 7-0 run capped by a Myles Foster three-point play to take the lead with 15:46 left. At 15:27, Collins nailed a corner three that put MU up 52-51. The Orange used a 7-0 run to lead by seven, and followed that with another 7-0 push, all from the foul line, to lead by 12 at 9:18. MU didn't give in, getting within 12 multiple times with chances to cut it to single digits.
 
Klemen Vuga scored on the first two possessions, and Collins knocked in two early triples to send the Hawks to a quick 10-5 advantage. Syracuse never led by more than five in the opening half, and after going up five, Collins and Myles Ruth nailed consecutive triples followed by a Collins steal and score in transition to put the Hawks back on top. Tahron Allen scored two straight buckets just minutes later, taking a lead feed from Jakari Spence to put MU up five, a margin the Hawks would match at 2:29 on a Spence jumper. MU went to the break down just two.  
 
NOTES AND QUOTES
 
"These kids are incredible. In the first half we shot over 50%, at Syracuse. We came in and played them toe-to-toe for over 30 minutes. We're going to win games, every kid is in a new role. My kids bounced back with everything going on tonight and gave it a good go." – Head Coach King Rice
 
"I just try to go out and shoot with confidence. The guys trust me, they try to find me whenever they can and if I'm knocking down shots, Coach and those guys will keep finding me." – Freshman Jack Collins
 
-Jack Collins netted a career-best 20 points.
-Collins five threes were the most in a game by a Hawk this season.
-Monmouth's 19 assists were a season best.
-MU posted a positive assist/turnover ratio for the second time this seaaon.
-Myles Foster's six assists were a career best.
-Foster's 17 points is the third most in a game for his career.
-Myles Ruth scored in double figures for the third time in four games.

NUMBERS CRUNCH
-Monmouth shot 48.2% and 39.1% from three.
-MU and Syracuse both had 36 points in the paint.
-MU led for 8:43 of the game.
-Syracuse committed just six fouls to Monmouth's 26.

UP NEXT
-Monmouth hosts Charlotte on Saturday afternoon at 2:00 p.m. on SNY and NBC Sports Philadelphia.