WEST LONG BRANCH, NJ – On the night he broke the program's record for all-time games played, Marcus McClary banked in a three with 0.6 seconds remaining to send Monmouth University Men's Basketball (14-7, 6-4 MAAC) past Fairfield University (10-11, 4-6 MAAC) 59-56.
 
MU led by as many as eight multiple times in the second half, including after Walker Miller dunked and Shavar Reynolds knocked in two foul shots with 10:12 left. Fairfield used a 12-3 spurt get within two and then lead on TJ Long's three at 3:29, their first lead since it was 2-0. Two Nikkei Rutty free throws tied it, and Reynolds and Jesus Cruz traded free throws and layups to get the Hawks the ball with the shot clock off and the final shot. Marcus McClary took it in the wing with time winding down and banked in a triple with 0.6 to go, and Fairfield was unable to get a look as MU grabbed the last-second victory.
 
After Fairfield netted the opening basket, MU scored 11 in a row to lead 11-2. The Stags cut it to one after TJ Long hit a pair of triples, but a Reynolds three preceded Papas knocking home two in 24 seconds and three in 1:34 to extend the lead back to eight. The Hawks would ultimately lead 26-21 at the break.  
 
NOTES AND QUOTES

"That was just a good, old school MAAC basketball game. Fairfield is just a tough, tough team and Jay is probably one of the best defensive coaches at this level and his kids are playing at a high level. I thought that was a big time, grind out for us and we got the last shot and it went in. Super happy we were able to get that done." – Head Coach King Rice
 
"Marcus has been that kid. He's been the glue guy, he doesn't get a lot of publicity and he just goes about his business. You're happy for a kid that always does the right thing in your program. For four years and now his fifth year he's been awesome to be around." – Rice on McClary
 
"I had a similar shot last Sunday against Niagara and I was thinking about it all week. The guys on the bench, especially Tahron were telling me to stay ready and the shot this week went in. This has been a hell of a ride for me, Coach Rice gave me an opportunity to play here and believed in me to play in all these games." – Marcus McClary
 
-Marcus McClary broke Diago Quinn's program record for career games played, playing in his 137^th career game.
-McClary's buzzer beater is Monmouth's first win in the final second of a game this season, and first since December 21, 2019 against Albany.
-Monmouth's win is its 100^th all-time in MAAC league games.
-Monmouth sweeps the season series from Fairfield.
-MU held an opponent under 60 points for the third time this season (at Pitt, at Niagara)
-George Papas' 18 points marked his 16^th double-figure game of the season and puts him 17 points shy of 1,000 for his career.
-Walker Miller scored in doubles for the 17^th time this season.
-Shavar Reynolds posted his 17^th double-digit effort this year.
-MU has won four of its last five, and close this four-game homestand with a 3-1 mark.
 
NUMBERS CRUNCH
-Monmouth outshot Fairfield 41% to 39%.
-The Hawks were better in points off turnovers, 12-6.
-MU led for 35:06 of the game.
-There were four ties and three lead changes.
-Fairfield put three in doubles, led by TJ Long's 18.
 
UP NEXT
-Monmouth heads to Quinnipiac Sunday for a 2:00 p.m. tip with the Bobcats.