ATLANTIC CITY, NJ – For the third time in head coach King Rice's tenure, the Monmouth University men's basketball team (21-12, 11-9 MAAC) advanced to the finals of the MAAC Tournament with its 72-68 victory over #9 Rider on Friday night. George Papas led the way with 20 points including 17 in the second half while Shavar Reynolds tallied 17 and Walker Miller added 12.
 
After falling behind by eight points early in the second half, MU went on a 16-6 run, ultimately taking a 48-43 lead with 12:34 to go in the game. Papas scored eight of his 20 points during the run, knocking down two three pointers and a mid-range jumper. Reynolds also converted on a pair of threes including one on the fastbreak during the run. The Hawks held onto the lead until the 1:33 mark of the half, when the Broncs evened up the score at 62-62. Papas proceeded to hit nine free throws over the final 90 seconds, icing the game and helping Monmouth advance to the championship round.
 
The Hawks got out to a 10-0 lead in the first half with Miller, Reynolds, and Jarvis Vaughan all finding the scoresheet. Rider answered back with a 13-3 scoring run culminating in a three pointer that gave the Broncs their first lead of the contest at 16-13 with 8:09 to go. Over the remainder of the half, the Hawks narrowly outscored Rider 15-14 and headed into the locker room down by just one point, 30-29. Miller and Reynolds led the Hawks in the first half, notching eight points apiece.
 
NOTES AND QUOTES
"This league has been great for Monmouth, and now I hope that we get to finish it the right way tomorrow with a championship. I'm thankful that I got to coach in this league because it made me a better coach. This league has been great for Monmouth, it's been great for me, it's helped me grow as a man. So, I take my hat off to everyone that's been in this league. I'm thankful that I had the opportunity to work in the MAAC." – Head Coach King Rice
 
"Obviously we're happy but we've got to stay level. Coach Rice has been saying from day one we're built for March. Regardless of what we did the whole season, we're built for March. Three games, we got two of them done. Celebrate now, as soon as we get back to the hotel, we focus on tomorrow." – Guard George Papas
 
-Monmouth is headed to their third finals in the MAAC and second in four seasons.
-George Papas was 9-9 from the foul line in the final 56 seconds.
-Papas hit his 100^th three of the season, the only Hawk to ever do so.
-MU moves to 2-1 against Rider in MAAC Tournament play.
-King Rice is now 9-7 in MAAC Tournament games.
-MU's six turnovers was a season low.
-Jarvis Vaughan's two triples matched a season high.
 
NUMBERS CRUNCH
-Monmouth was better off the bench 10-2.
-Monmouth led for 24:15 of the game.
-17 of Papas' 20 points came in the second half.
 
UP NEXT
-Monmouth will meet #2 Saint Peter's tomorrow at 4:00 p.m. in the MAAC Championship game on ESPNU.