WEST LONG BRANCH, NJ – Nikita Konstantynovskyi posted his second career double-double, finishing with 21 points and 10 rebounds as Monmouth University Men's Basketball (6-5) beat Rider University (2-8) Saturday afternoon, 77-71. It marked Monmouth's third home win in a row as three Hawks scored in double figures.
 
Monmouth distanced themselves from Rider with a 16-6 run to lead by 17 with 10:33 to go, the final five points coming on a Jaret Valencia three and a highlight-reel ally-oop. MU maintained a large margin for the bulk of the period and were in control throughout, with some late Rider baskets cutting it to six to complete a 77-71 MU win.
 
Monmouth leapt to the lead when Valencia made his first two shots, both from three. MU built the lead as large as 11 after Abdi Bashir Jr. made back-to-back threes, but Rider used a brief run to take their only lead of the game which lasted just 20 seconds. MU closed the half on a 12-2 run to lead 44-37, capped by a Jack Collins three in the closing seconds.
 
NOTES AND QUOTES

"I thought that was a good college basketball game. I knew today was going to be a battle and I'm glad my kids believed what I was telling them. Rider's a tough group of kids with a tough coach and I knew they weren't going to go away today at all and it turned out to be a really good game." – Head Coach King Rice

"I came to the gym early before the game and started shooting and it was feeling good so I knew I was going to make some threes today. Playing with Nikita, he makes the game easy, he posts up hard and it opens up the court for everybody." – Jaret Valencia
 
"I think my play is about being physical under the rim and trusting my teammates, being able to communicate with them. It's all about communication and being on the same page, that's the key for us." – Nikita Konstantynovskyi
 
-Kontsantynovskyi posted his second career double-double, both this season.
-Konstantynovskyi's 21 points is his second career 20+ point game and one off a career best.
-Jaret Valencia's four threes marked a career best.
-Jack Collins scored in double digits for the seventh time this season.
-Valencia tied a career-high with three blocks.
-Valencia's 16 points was three off a career best and his fourth double-figure game of this season.
-Jakari Spence tied a season high with six assists.
 
NUMBERS CRUNCH
-Monmouth outshot Rider 51% to 45%.
-MU was better from deep, 52% to 40%.
-The Hawks dominated off turnovers, 21-6.
-MU had 19 assists on 28 made shots.
 
UP NEXT
-Monmouth hosts Manhattan Thursday at 2:00 p.m. The game will air on SNY and tickets are available at MonmouthHawks.com/Tickets.