WEST LONG BRANCH, NJ – The Monmouth men's basketball team was ranked in the College Insider Mid-Major Top 25 for the first time in program history, moving into the 22nd spot in the poll. Monmouth defeated UCLA in overtime on Friday night, 84-81 to earn a spot in the rankings.
MU picked up one of the biggest wins in program history, coming back from a 13-point second half deficit and a five-point margin in overtime to top UCLA Friday at historic Pauley Pavilion. Monmouth got 19 points from Collin Stewart (Glenville, NY/Mekeel Christian Academy) and 16 points and six steals from Justin Robinson (Lake Katrine, NY/Kingston).
Monmouth battled USC on Monday night, falling 101-90 but coming back from down 16 in the first half to take multiple leads. Robinson netted a career-best 28 points, and Deon Jones (Wilmington, DE/Sanford School [Towson]) scored 20 and added eight rebounds.
The Hawks are the second school from the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference in the poll with Iona ranked 13th, down from the #6 spot the Gaels occupied during the preseason. The only team other than the Gaels on the list that Monmouth could play this year is Wichita State, who sits atop the poll at #1 with 26 first-place votes. The Blue and White have the opportunity to play the Shockers during the Advocare Invitational from November 26-29 in Orlando, FL.
MU is the only school from New Jersey ranked in the Top 25, with NJIT and Princeton receiving votes in the ranking. The Mid-Major Poll is made up of teams from the following conferences: America East, Atlantic Sun, Big Sky, Big South, Big West, Colonial, Horizon, Independents, Ivy, Metro Atlantic, Mid-American, Mid-Eastern, Missouri Valley, Northeast, Ohio Valley, Patriot, Southern, Southland, Southwestern, Summit, Sun Belt, West Coast, Western Athletic.
Monmouth is back on the floor for a matchup with Drexel next Saturday, November 21 in Philadelphia. Tip is set for 2:00pm.
