BOSTON, MA – Xander Rice led all scorers with 25 points, but Monmouth University Men's Basketball was defeated Saturday at Northeastern University, 77-65.
 
Monmouth started the second half strong, instantly cutting it to seven after five buckets, all from Jaret Valencia and Nikita Konstantynovskyi. MU then used a 7-0 run capped by Rice knocking in three free throws to make it 50-47, but Northeastern responded with a 10-0 run to lead by 14. The Huskies held off MU the rest of the way, winning 77-65.
 
Four consecutive Rice foul shots gave MU a 12-11 lead, but the Huskies used a 15-2 run to lead by as many as 16. Monmouth battled back late in the half, scoring the final five points to make it a 10-point game at the break.
 
NOTES AND QUOTES

"They outplayed us right from the beginning. When you show up to someone's gym and look like that, that's what you get. We'll be ready on Thursday." – Head Coach King Rice
 
-Xander Rice made his 100^th collegiate start.
-Rice scored 20+ points for the 18^th time this season.
-Nikita Konstantynovski posted his 10^th double-figure scoring game this year.
-Braedan Allen scored his first career points.
-Monmouth started the same lineup for the 24^th time this season.

NUMBERS CRUNCH
 
-Monmouth outshot Northeastern 47% to 46%.
-MU was better in the paint, 48-34.
-The Hawks were better on the move, 12-7.

UP NEXT
-Monmouth hosts Campbell on Thursday night at 7:00 p.m. on FloSports. Tickets are available at MonmouthHawks.com/Tickets.