Auburn, AL – Monmouth University Men's Basketball led for long stretches of the first half, but #2/2 Auburn University beat the Hawks at Neville Arena on Monday evening, 87-58. Abdi Bashir Jr. paced MU with 15 points to lead three in double figures.
 
Jaret Valencia hit three long jumpers to open the second half and a Jack Collins and-one had Monmouth within 13, but Auburn used a 28-4 run to gain control. Monmouth notched an 11-0 run late, falling by the final of 87-58.
 
Monmouth led for the bulk of the first 10 minutes, making their first three from distance to lead 9-5. The lead was 11-6 after a Bashir baseline pullup, and after Auburn went back in front, Bashir knocked home a three at 10:53 to make it 20-19. Madison Durr's pair of free throws with 6:32 to go tied things at 28, but Auburn closed the half on an 18-0 run to lead 46-28 at the half.
 
NOTES AND QUOTES
 
"We outplayed them for a portion of this game and that's something you can hang your hat on. When someone beats you, you have to shake their hands. Our kids competed, they got after these guys, our kids really fought. We really gave everything we could." – Head Coach King Rice
 
-Abdi Bashir scored in double figures for the 12^th time this season.
-Bashir tied a career-best with four assists.
-This was MU's 27^th ever game against a nationally ranked opponent.
-Second-ranked Auburn was the second-highest team Monmouth has ever played (#1 Duke in the 2001 NCAA Tournament).
-MU played in the state of Alabama for the first time since 1990.

NUMBERS CRUNCH
-Monmouth shot 37% to Auburn's 44%.
-The Hawks were better from 3, 38% to 27%.
-MU was better from the line, 79% to 75%.

UP NEXT
-Monmouth opens CAA play on Thursday night, January 2 against Stony Brook. Tip is set for 7:00 p.m. on SNY, NBC Sports Philadelphia and FloCollege.