The Coastal Athletic Association presents a thrilling encounter as the Monmouth Hawks soar into Matthews Arena to face off against the Northeastern Huskies on February 10th. Positioned eighth and 11th respectively, both teams eye a vital win to ascend their conference standings. Monmouth's recent victory over William & Mary contrasts with Northeastern's triumph against Campbell, setting the stage for a gripping contest.
Monmouth Hawks have carved a path through the Coastal Athletic Association, positioning themselves in the eighth spot with a commendable 13-11 (6-5) record. Their offensive gameplay is illuminated by Xander Rice, who stands as the leading scorer with an impressive 21.1 points per game. The Hawks' prowess from beyond the arc is notable, boasting a 36.6 3-point shooting percentage, ranking them 49th nationwide. This sharpshooting skill is complemented by their 42.8 field goal percentage and a free-throw percentage of 70.9. While these figures may not lead the league, they underscore a competitive offensive unit capable of significant impact. The rebounding efforts, led by Nikita Konstantynovskyi with 7.1 boards per game, highlight a decent but improvable aspect of their game with an average of 35.0 rebounds per game.
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On the defensive end, the Hawks have room for improvement, allowing an average of 72.5 points per game. Their defense against field goals stands at 42.9%, and they have been particularly vulnerable to three-point shots, with opponents hitting 34.0%. Despite these challenges, key defensive players like Jakari Spence, leading with 1.5 steals per game, and Jaret Valencia, who tops blocks with 1.8 per game, have shown promise. The recent narrow 68-64 home victory over William & Mary, combined with their challenging 1-10 away record, underscores the Hawks' resilience and their need to bolster their defensive strategies to complement their offensive capabilities.