Washington, DC – Monmouth University Men's Basketball led College of Charleston for many stretches, but were edged out in overtime of Sunday's CAA quarterfinal, 79-78. Abdi Bashir Jr. broke the CAA single-season three-point record and finished with 24 points, while Jack Collins netted his 1,000^th career point.
 
MU led early in overtime, and cut it back to one several times, but were unable to take the lead back, with Charleston holding on for the 79-78 win.
 
MU trailed by nine early in the second but immediately got even with a Bashir triple followed by a drive to the rim. Collins then connected at a three at the end of the shot clock to put the Hawks in front at 12:38, and the teams traded eight leads from that point. Jaret Valencia's soaring dunk at 4:10 put the Hawks in front, as did consecutive layups from Cornelius Robinson III. Down one inside a minute to go, Bashir's sixth three gave the Hawks a two-point lead, but Charleston tied it to force the extra session.
 
Neither team led by more than five in a back-and-forth first half, with Collins' three at 1:33 registering as his 1,000^th career point. Charleston took a narrow 34-33 lead into the locker room.
 
NOTES AND QUOTES
 
"You have to give Charleston all the credit in the world. Our kids fought hard enough to get it done but Charleston got the win so you have to take your hat off to them." – Head Coach King Rice
 
-Jack Collins third three of the night made him the 27^th 1,000-point scorer in Monmouth history.
-Collins is the 12^th player to reach 1,000 points before the end of his third season at MU.
-Abdi Bashir broke the CAA record for single-season three pointers, finishing with 127.
-Monmouth advanced to the CAA quarterfinals for the second consecutive season.
-Bashir finishes the season with 663 points, tied for fourth most in one season in school history.

NUMBERS CRUNCH
-Monmouth outshot Charleston from three, 36% to 28%.
-The Hawks were better off turnovers, 13-6.
-There were 15 ties and 15 lead changes.
-Charleston shot 32 free throws to 12 for MU.
 
Monmouth concludes the 2024-25 season at 13-20, 10-8 in the CAA and reaching the quarterfinals for the second straight season.