Men's Basketball Falls to Monmouth, 67-62

Thursday, February 1

West Long Branch, N.J.

7 p.m.

Drexel University

15-8,8-2CAA

Monmouth

12-10,5-4CAA

Drexel

Monmouth

Photo by: Sideline Photos

2/1/2024 8:54:00 PM | Men's Basketball

Box Score

WEST LONG BRANCH, N.J. – Drexel battled back from a double-figure deficit, but Monmouth answered back with a big half from Xander Rice and defeated Drexel, 67-62. The loss dropped Drexel's record to 15-8 overall and 8-2 in CAA play. The Hawks are now 12-10 and 5-4 in league games. Justin Moore and Amari Williams each had 12 points to lead Drexel. Rice, who scored 14 straight points for Monmouth in the second half, had a game-high 22 points.

The Dragons found themselves in a big home early. Monmouth scored the first 10 points of the game to take an early advantage. Drexel was able to cut the lead to two at 14-12 on a Garfield Turner bucket, but Monmouth answered with 12-2 run. The Hawks stayed in control the rest of the half and led by 10 at the break, 33-23.

Drexel chipped away and finally took their first lead of the game on a 3-pointer by Mate Okros which made it 51-50. Williams scored on a drive on the next possession as the Dragons eventually led by four. However, Rice got going after a slow first half. He scored 14 straight points for Monmouth at one point. He drained a contested 3-pointer to put the Hawks up for good at 62-59. That began a 7-0 run and the Dragons were unable to sneak out of West Long Branch with a win.

Moore and Williams each had 12 points and eight rebounds. Kobe Magee came off the bench to score nine, while Garfield Turner had eight points and eight rebounds. Drexel managed to shoot 44 percent in the second half after a tough first 20 minutes which saw the Dragons make just one of their 10 long-range attempts.

Rice finished just 6-for-15 from the floor, but was 7-for-8 from the line. Jakari Spence added 12 points. The Monmouth defense forced Drexel into 14 turnovers, nine of which came in the first half.

Drexel has two more road games before returning home. The Dragons are off this weekend before heading to UNCW and the College of Charleston next week.