The Monmouth Hawks put on a show at the Daskalakis Athletic Center, defeating the Drexel Dragons 93-73. Monmouth's Cornelius Robinson III led the charge with 20 points and 5 rebounds, while Kavion McClain added 20 points and 6 assists. The Hawks' 93 points were the most they've scored in a game this season, and their 20-point margin of victory was their largest in 10 games. Drexel's Dillon Tingler had a strong outing with 19 points and 6 rebounds, but it wasn't enough to overcome Monmouth's balanced attack.
Monmouth Hawks Shoot 52.5% from the Field, Highest Mark in 10 Games
The Monmouth Hawks came out hot, scoring 45 points in the first half to take a 23-point lead into the break. Drexel struggled to find their rhythm, scoring just 22 points in the first half. The Dragons tried to mount a comeback in the second half, scoring 51 points, but Monmouth kept pace with 48 points of their own. The Hawks' lead never dipped below 15 points in the second half, and they cruised to a 20-point victory. Monmouth's 48 points in the second half were their second-highest total in a half this season, and their 93 total points were 16 more than their season average. Drexel's 73 points were 10 more than their average, but they couldn't keep up with Monmouth's high-powered offense.
Cornelius Robinson III and Kavion McClain led the way for Monmouth, combining for 40 points and 11 assists. Jason Rivera-Torres added 18 points and 8 rebounds, and the Hawks had five players score in double figures. For Drexel, Dillon Tingler had a strong game with 19 points and 6 rebounds, while Shane Blakeney added 17 points and Victor Panov scored 14. Drexel's top three scorers combined for 50 points, but they didn't have the same level of depth as Monmouth. The Hawks' bench outscored Drexel's 23-12, and Monmouth's 24 assists were 8 more than Drexel's total.
CHD Scout Report Card
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Final
Monmouth dominated the game statistically, outscoring Drexel by 20 points and outrebounding them 38-32. The Hawks shot 52.5% from the field, including 44.4% from three-point range, while Drexel shot just 41.4% from the field and 30.8% from three. Monmouth's 24 assists were a season high, and their 12 turnovers were 4 fewer than their average. Drexel's 18 turnovers were 4 more than their average, and they were outscored 24-12 in points off turnovers. The Hawks' 93 points were their highest total in 15 games, and their 20-point margin of victory was their largest in 12 games.
The CHD Scout predicted Drexel to win by 4.9 points, but Monmouth's dominant performance proved them wrong. The predicted score was 72-67 in favor of Drexel, but Monmouth's 93 points were 26 more than the predicted total. The actual margin of 20 points was 15.1 more than the predicted margin, and Monmouth's victory was a significant upset in terms of the predicted outcome. The CHD Scout missed on this one, and it's clear that Monmouth was the better team on this day. Drexel's 13-13 record and 210 NET ranking made them a slight favorite, but Monmouth's 13-12 record and 203 NET ranking belied their strong performance.
This game was a Quadrant 3 game for Monmouth and a Quadrant 4 game for Drexel. Monmouth's win improves their resume and moves them up the NET rankings, while Drexel's loss drops them further down the rankings. The Hawks' 93 points and 20-point margin of victory were impressive, and their balanced attack made them look like a formidable opponent. Drexel's 73 points were respectable, but their defense struggled to contain Monmouth's offense. The Dragons' 13-13 record and 210 NET ranking make them a bubble team, but they need to improve their defense to make a push for the tournament. Monmouth's 13-12 record and 203 NET ranking make them a dark horse candidate, and their win over Drexel was a significant step in the right direction.
Monmouth's next game is against the Rider Broncs on February 15, while Drexel takes on the Delaware Blue Hens on February 17. Both teams want to build on their performance in this game, with Monmouth trying to keep their momentum going and Drexel trying to bounce back from a tough loss. The Hawks' 93 points and 20-point margin of victory make them a team to watch, and their upcoming game against Rider will be a key test of their mettle.