Here are highlights from the action in the 2016 NIT opening round contest between Monmouth of the MAAC and Bucknell of the Patriot League. The Hawks trailed 6-4 early on before going on a 17-8 tear that included a dunk, jumper, and a three from Collin Stewart, and several scores from Justin Robinson for a 23-12 lead.
Bucknell, led by Chris Hass and Ryan Fraiser, roared back with an 18-7 tear highlighted by four threes to tie the score at 30-30. Robinson then struck for two threes over the final minute or so of the half including one just before the buzzer to give Monmouth a 36-30 lead at the intermission. The Hawks then expanded upon that lead before Bucknell came back again.
The Bison fought back to tie the game at 52-52 before Stewart netted two threes and Robinson hit a trey himself to put Monmouth back up by nine at 61-52. The Hawks then scored 10 of the next 18 points including a dunk by Zach Tillman for a 71-60 lead. Bucknell made another run to get within a couple of possessions, but couldn’t get closer as Monmouth went on to win 90-80.
The two teams combined for 21 three pointers in the game as Monmouth had a 33-30 edge in points scored from beyond the arc, and connected on nearly 41 percent of its attempts from long range. Robinson finished with a game high 23 points along with 6 rebounds, 5 assists, and 2 steals while only making two turnovers.
Stewart ended up with 16 points including 4 of 10 from long range while Deon Jones chipped in with 15. Ten of the 12 players that got into the game for Monmouth scored. Bucknell had only 7 different players score, but five of them scored in double figures including: Hass (18 points), Fraizer (10 points), Zach Thomas (15 points), Kimbal Mackenzie (13 points), and Nana Foulland (10 points).
Monmouth improves to 28-7 on the season, and advances to the NIT 2nd round where it will face 4th seeded George Washington of the Atlantic 10 on Monday night at 7:00 PM. Bucknell concludes its season at 17-14.