Wichita, KS – Monmouth University Men's Basketball was narrowly edged out at Wichita State University Monday night, 70-66. Abdi Bashir Jr. led Monmouth with 15 points, and the Hawks led with 2:18 to go, but Corey Washington's three with 1:39 left put WSU up for good.
 
MU led for the first 14:16 of the second half, sparked by Madison Durr's corner three to open the period. A Cornelius Robinson III jumped gave the Hawks their largest lead at seven with 14:34 to play, and Aric Demings take to the rim at 9:34 made it a six-point MU lead. The lead then changed hands twice, but Monmouth got a jumper from Chris Morgan at 3:44 to tie it before Robinson grabbed a steal on the ensuing inbound and scored to put the Hawks up 58-56. Durr's free throw at 2:18 made it a one-point MU lead, but Washington's three had the Shockers up to stay, ultimately winning 70-66.
 
The Hawks jumped to an instant six-point lead, 9-3, behind baskets from three different players. The lead changes hands several times across the first 20 minutes, and Monmouth closed strong, with Justin Ray's runner in the lane putting the Blue and White in front at the break, 31-30.
 
NOTES AND QUOTES
 
"Our guys truly competed hard. Having a fifth straight game on the road, these guys really pulled together and we fell just a little bit short. We're obviously going to work on finishing games and making your free throws, but the most important thing is we're a really tight-knit group, we're super together and we're going to continue getting better." – Head Coach King Rice
 
-Chris Morgan had a career-best four steals, the most by a Hawk this year.
-Cornelius Robinson III netted a season-best 12 points, his first game this year in double digits.
-Andrew Ball tied his season high with six rebounds.
-Monmouth shot a season best 46.6%
-Monmouth led at halftime for the first time this season.
-This was MU's first meeting with Wichita State since 2007.

NUMBERS CRUNCH
 
-Monmouth limited Wichita State to two threes, one per half.
-The Hawks outrebounded the Shockers, 41-34.
-MU was better in second chance points, 10-5.
-The Hawks topped WSU off the bench, 17-12.

UP NEXT
-Monmouth heads to Nacogdoches, TX to play in the three-game Axe 'Em Classic at Stephen F. Austin. The Hawks will play Youngstown State on Thursday at 5:00 p.m., with coverage coming on the radio only via the Monmouth Digital Network.