LAWRENCEVILLE, NJ – A second-half comeback came up just short in the regular season finale, as Monmouth University Men's Basketball (19-12, 11-9 MAAC) fell Saturday afternoon at Rider University (12-18, 8-12) 74-65. George Papas tied the program record for single-season three pointers with his 97^th in the second half.
 
The Broncs led by as many as 15 in the second half, but MU made a run of their own. Myles Ruth hit a three after a Myles Foster finish to trim it to eight, and a Papas triple that tied the single-season record made it six. Sam Chaput got going after that, slicing to the rim ahead of hitting a three that made it a one-point game with 7:06 to go. MU trailed by just three into the final four minutes, but Rider used a 7-0 run to secure the win.
 
Rider opened up an eight-point lead in the first half but MU scored six straight, including a Reynolds three to cut it to two. The Broncs finished the half on a 14-5 run, leading by their largest margin, 13, at the break.
 
NOTES AND QUOTES

"I thought it was a good game. I thought our defense was a little slow to get off the bus today, they shot a high percentage in the first half and then in the second half we guarded like we were supposed to. I thought Rider was super prepared, I thought in the second half we played like we were supposed to." – Head Coach King Rice
 
-George Papas' second-half three tied the program record for threes in a season with 97, tying Dave Calloway's mark from 1989-90.
-The game was Monmouth's final regular season game ever as a MAAC member.
-MU concludes the regular season with its sixth winning record in MAAC play in nine seasons.
-The Hawks will enter the MAAC Tournament as the #4 seed this week.
-Walker Miller's nine rebounds are his second most in a game this season.
-Marcus McClary posted his first double-digit scoring game since February 6 at Quinnipiac.
 
NUMBERS CRUNCH
-Monmouth won the second half, 35-31.
-Monmouth was better from three, 39.1% to 31.6%.
-The Hawks grabbed 11 offensive rebounds on the night.
-Mervin James led all scorers with 23 points.
 
UP NEXT
-Monmouth will play #5 Niagara in the MAAC quarterfinals on Thursday night at 9:30 p.m. in Atlantic City, NJ.