WEST LONG BRANCH, NJ – Monmouth University Men's Basketball had a shot to tie in the closing seconds and got 10 rebounds from Klemen Vuga in a solid 40-minute effort at CAA foe UNC Wilmington Thursday night, falling 52-49 at Trask Coliseum.
 
Monmouth had an instant answer for UNCW's 8-2 opening to the second half, posting a 16-5 push to get within two. Six Hawks scored during the run, including Jarvis Vaughan, who hit a corner three to spark the Hawks. Jack Collins cleaned up inside with 7:56 to go to trim it to two at 42-40, and after going down 46-40, the Hawks scored the next five, capped by Myles Ruth netting a runner with 5:42 left to make it a one-point game. Monmouth continually got stops down the stretch, and Klemen Vuga sliced it to 51-49 with a nice finish in the paint at the 2:22 mark. Ruth came up with a steal and Monmouth called timeout, down three with 11 seconds remaining, and Collins' three for the tie came up just short.
 
Trailing by nine, MU went on a 12-0 run to pull ahead, sparked by defense that led to offense. Jack Collins hit a three on the move, and Jakari Spence forced a steal at half court and laid it in to give MU the lead. UNCW closed the half on an 11-2 run to lead 29-22 at the break.
 
NOTES AND QUOTES
 
"The kids are still coming. When you're down, you keep fighting and you keep your head up. I'm working and trying as hard as I can to get it right with my team and we keep playing hard, that's a credit to these kids." – Head Coach King Rice
 
-Klemen Vuga grabbed a career-best 10 rebounds.
-MU had five players with seven points or more, with nobody in double figures for the first time since December 1, 2018.
-Monmouth won the second half, 27-23.
-Jack Collins tied a career-high with four steals, all in the first half.
-Collins' seven rebounds is the second most in a game this season for the freshman.
 
NUMBERS CRUNCH
-Monmouth outrebounded UNCW, 35-29.
-MU was better off turnovers, 17-16.
-The Hawks topped UNCW on the move, 16-8.
 
UP NEXT
-Monmouth travels to North Carolina A&T Saturday for a 2:00 p.m. tip.