Monmouth's Jason Rivera-Torres stole the show at Stony Brook Arena, leading his team to a 76-75 victory over Stony Brook. The Hawks' star player poured in 25 points and grabbed 12 rebounds, outdueling Stony Brook's Erik Pratt in a battle of top performers. Pratt, who finished with 22 points and 8 rebounds, kept the Seawolves in the game, but ultimately fell just short.
The first half belonged to Monmouth, as they built a 46-31 lead behind Rivera-Torres' 15 points. However, Stony Brook refused to back down, using a strong second half to climb back into contention. Andrej Shoshkikj and Ethan Simmon chipped in with 18 and 10 points, respectively, to aid Pratt's efforts. The Seawolves' 44-point second half was not enough, though, as Monmouth held on for the narrow win.
CHD Scout's pre-game prediction had Stony Brook emerging victorious by 3.3 points, but the actual result was a one-point Monmouth win. The predicted score of 73-70 was close, but the outcome was far from expected. This result is a reflection of the unpredictability of college basketball and the importance of individual performances.
CHD Scout Report Card
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Final
Rivera-Torres' impressive outing was complemented by Kavion McClain's 14 points and 5 assists, as well as Cornelius Robinson III's 10 points and 7 rebounds. The Hawks' balanced attack proved too much for Stony Brook to handle, despite the Seawolves' best efforts. As the final buzzer sounded, Monmouth celebrated a hard-fought victory, while Stony Brook was left to ponder what could have been.
This game had real consequences for both teams' tournament resumes. For Monmouth, the win marked a Quadrant 3 victory, a valuable addition to their postseason portfolio. With a current NET ranking of 209, the Hawks are still on the outside looking in, but this result helps to bolster their case. On the other hand, Stony Brook suffered a Quadrant 4 loss, which may hurt their already slim tournament chances. The Seawolves, currently ranked 211 in the NET, must regroup and refocus if they hope to make a late push for the postseason.
In the end, Monmouth's victory over Stony Brook will be remembered for Jason Rivera-Torres' outstanding performance and the Hawks' ability to hold off a fierce comeback. As the season enters its final stretch, Monmouth want to build on this momentum, while Stony Brook will aim to bounce back from a tough loss. The outcome of this game may not have been an upset, but its impact on the tournament landscape is undeniable.