Princeton, NJ – Monmouth University Men's Basketball got 26 points from Abdi Bashir Jr. and the Hawks held the lead with 1:03 to go, but Princeton University won a close contest on Tuesday night at Jadwin Gymnasium, 71-67.
 
Princeton didn't lead by more than five in the second half, and Monmouth took the lead on two Madison Durr free throws with 6:06 to go. Bashir's three at 5:21 made it a four-point Monmouth lead, and the game went back-and-forth into the final minute. Princeton's Blake Peters netted a three with 1:03 to go to make it 65-63 Tigers, and the Hawks got it within one in the final seconds but were unable to get even.
 
Neither team led by more than one possession in the first half after the 17:32 mark. Bashir's second three put MU up 12-10, and Justin Ray netted two threes in the half, both of which gave the Hawks the lead. Bashir's layup with 17 seconds left put Monmouth up one, but a late Princeton basket sent them to the break leading 30-29.
 
NOTES AND QUOTES

"Give Princeton a lot of credit. Princeton made plays down the stretch, we tried to make plays but we didn't make enough and they hung on and got the win." – Head Coach King Rice
 
-Bashir netted 20+ points for the seventh time this season in 11 games.
-Bashir scored in double figures for the 10th time in 11 games this season.
-Cornelius Robinson III had four steals, a career-high and tying the most by a Hawk in a game this year.
-Jaret Valencia notched his fourth game in double figures this season.
-Madison Durr posted his seven double-figure scoring game of the year.
-Monmouth started the same lineup for the third game in a row.
-Excluding the COVID shortened 2020-21 season, Monmouth and Princeton met for the eighth year in a row.

NUMBERS CRUNCH
 
-Monmouth was better off turnovers, 18-11.
-The Hawks had three score in double figures.
-Monmouth blocked four shots to Princeton's two.

UP NEXT
-Monmouth plays its home opener on December 21 at 1:00 p.m. against Fairfield. That game will air on SNY and FloSports. Tickets are available at MonmouthHawks.com/Tickets.