West Long Branch, NJ – Monmouth University Men's Basketball made several runs at UNCW, but were held off by the Seahawks, 64-55 Thursday night. Abdi Bashir Jr. led MU with 18 points in the defeat.
 
Monmouth stayed within striking distance throughout, with a Jack Collins three making it a six-point game with 16:00 to go. MU then went on an 8-0 run, capped by a Madison Durr finish at the rim, to make it a four-point margin at 6:43, which Abdi Bashir Jr. matched with a three at 5:05. UNCW then put together a 10-0 run to lead by 14, eventually winning 64-55.
 
UNCW led by 13 in the early stages, but the Hawks fought back, using a 19-8 run to tie the game with 3:51 to go from the foul line. Abdi Bashir Jr. made two threes during the run, and Justin Ray had five points also. UNCW closed the half on a 7-0 run to lead 34-27 at the break.

NOTES AND QUOTES
 
"Tough night for us. Give UNCW all the credit. We cut it down, tie it a few times in a row and then don't box out… we'll do what we can do to prepare for Charleston coming in." – Head Coach King Rice
 
-Monmouth's 15-game home winning streak, the longest in school history, was snapped.
-Bashir scored in double figures for the 15^th time in 16 games this year.
-Madison Durr posted his 10^th game in double figures this season.
-Dok Muordar matched a career-high with eight points.
-Bashir's five assists marked a career-best.
-Muordar also tied a career-best with three blocks.

NUMBERS CRUNCH
-Monmouth was better from the foul line, 64% to 58%.
-MU topped UNCW on the fast break, 12-11.
-Monmouth forced 21 UNCW turnovers.

UP NEXT
-Monmouth hosts Charleston Saturday at 1:00 p.m. The game will air on SNY, NBC Sports Philadelphia and FloCollege. Tickets are available at MonmouthHawks.com/Tickets.