Monmouth Stumbles at Rider: A Setback in Conference Play.

Monmouth Stumbles at Rider: A Setback in Conference Play.

LAWRENCEVILLE, NJ – The Monmouth Hawks faced a tough road challenge on Tuesday night, falling to conference rival Rider in a hard-fought contest. Despite showing resilience throughout the game, Monmouth was unable to overcome key defensive lapses and cold shooting stretches, ultimately suffering a 72-65 defeat.

First-Half Struggles

Monmouth got off to a slow start, struggling to find offensive rhythm against Rider’s aggressive defense. The Hawks managed to keep the game close early on, but a late first-half surge from the Broncs created separation. Rider capitalized on Monmouth’s turnovers, turning defensive stops into fast-break opportunities and heading into halftime with a 38-29 lead.

Second-Half Fightback Falls Short

Coming out of the locker room, Monmouth showed signs of life, tightening up on defense and cutting the deficit to just three points midway through the second half. However, every time the Hawks seemed poised to take control, Rider responded with timely three-pointers and key defensive stands.

Despite an impressive performance from senior guard [Player Name], who led Monmouth with 18 points and five assists, the team struggled to get consistent scoring from the supporting cast. Free throw woes and missed opportunities in transition ultimately proved costly as Rider pulled away in the final minutes.

Implications for Monmouth

The loss marks a setback for Monmouth in its quest for a higher seed in the conference standings. With only a few games remaining in the regular season, the Hawks will need to regroup quickly and focus on upcoming matchups to solidify their postseason positioning.

Head coach acknowledged the team’s effort but emphasized the need for better execution in crucial moments. “We battled hard, but we have to be sharper in our decision-making and capitalize on our chances,” he said postgame.

Looking Ahead

Monmouth will return home for their next game, a must-win scenario as they look to bounce back from this defeat. With conference standings tightening, every game becomes crucial as the Hawks aim to build momentum heading into the postseason.