Nacogdoches, TX – Monmouth University Men's Basketball was defeated in the opening game of the Axe 'Em Classic by Youngstown State University Thursday, 72-62.
Jaret Valencia led MU with 18 points and eight rebounds in the setback.
Youngstown State used a 14-3 run to open the second half to take the lead at 15:08, and continued to build their lead to 10. MU was within six after a Valencia dunk at 6:59, but the Penguins were able to hold Monmouth off the rest of the way, winning 72-62.
Abdi Bashir opened the game with three early triples, including a four-point play. The Hawks led for the majority of the opening half, taking a 10-point lead when
Justin Ray got to the rim. Bashir's layup with 1:01 remaining in the period made it 38-24, Monmouth's largest lead, as the Blue and White took a 38-29 lead into the locker room.
NOTES AND QUOTES
"Tough second half for us. We have to keep believing in each other and keep believing in the things we do. Take your hat off to Youngstown State for surging back like that, they did a good job. We didn't finish the game. We have to keep working so we can be able to play 40 minutes." – Head Coach
King Rice
-
Jaret Valencia's 18 points were a season-best, his first game in double figures of the year, and one shy of a career-high.
-Abdi Bashir has scored in double figures in every game this season.
-
Jordan Meka's seven points marked a career-high, while his five boards was his most as a Hawk.
-
Jack Collins grabbed a season-high eight rebounds.
-Monmouth and Youngstown State met for the first time ever.
-The game was the first of six in the Axe 'Em Classic, hosted at William R. Johnson Coliseum at Stephen F. Austin University in Nacogdoches, TX.
NUMBERS CRUNCH
-Monmouth outrebounded Youngstown State 46-43.
-MU was better off turnovers, 22-14.
-The Hawks bettered YSU in the paint, 34-28.
-Monmouth won the second-chance points battle, 16-8.
UP NEXT
-Monmouth continues play in the Axe 'Em Classic tomorrow at 5:00 p.m. Eastern when they play host Stephen F. Austin. The game will air on ESPN+ and on the radio via the Monmouth Digital Network.
