ATLANTIC CITY, NJ (Mar. 11, 2022) – Fourth-seeded Monmouth University and Second-seeded Saint Peter’s University are set to square off in the 2022 Hercules Tires Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) Men’s Basketball Championship Final on Saturday afternoon at Jim Whelan Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City following Friday’s semifinals round. The title game will tip at 4pm and will air live on ESPNU and ESPN+. This will be the first time in the league’s 41-year history that the title game will feature two New Jersey institutions.
 
No. 4 Monmouth – 72 | No. 9 Rider – 68
Jim Whelan Boardwalk Hall | ATLANTIC CITY, NJ
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The semifinals began with an electric matchup between New Jersey rivals, No. 4 Monmouth and No. 9 Rider, ultimately ending with the Hawks topping the Broncs 72-68. Both sides went at each other all night exchanging big shot after big shot. It wasn’t until the 14:10 mark in the second with Monmouth trailing by three, that George Papas went on a personal 8-0 run, giving Monmouth a five-point edge -- a lead they would never relinquish. The difference in the game came at the free throw line, where the Hawks converted on 18 of 23 (78.3 percent) freebies, compared to just six made free throws by the Broncs. Papas and Shavar Reynolds carried the bulk of the load, scoring 20 and 17 points, respectively. Walker Miller contributed an additional 12 points for the Hawks. Rider was led offensively by Dwight Murray’s 20 points, Allen Powell’s 19 points, and Dimencio Vaughn’s 13 points. This is Monmouth’s third title game berth over the past seven seasons, having made it in 2016 and 2019 previously, where they fell to Iona both times.
 
No. 2 Saint Peter’s – 64 | No. 11 Quinnipiac – 52
Jim Whelan Boardwalk Hall | ATLANTIC CITY, NJ
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A second half surge, spearheaded No. 2 Saint Peter’s past No. 11 Quinnipiac in the second semifinal of the night, ending the Bobcats Cinderella run. Trailing by one-point at intermission, the Peacocks jumped out to a 9-0 run in just under two and a half minutes of the second half and never looked back. From that point on, Quinnipiac would never get within five points, as Saint Peter’s would seal the win with eight consecutive made free throws. A trio of Peacocks scored in double figures with Matthew Lee leading the way with a game-high 14 points, followed by 13 points and seven rebounds from KC Ndefo and 10 points by Doug Edert. Quinnipiac also had a threesome surpass double digit scoring, with Matt Balanc scoring a game-high 14 points, while Kevin Marfo and Dezi Jones scored 10 points apiece. Saint Peter’s is back in the championship title game for the first time since winning it all in 2011, making the program’s eighth overall appearance in the final. The Peacocks are seeking the program’s fourth crown, having secured the trophy in 1991, 1995, and the aforementioned 2011 win.
 
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About the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference:
With 11 institutions strongly bound by the sound principles of quality and integrity in academics and excellence in athletics, the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) is in its 41st year of competition during the 2021-22 academic year. Current conference members include: Canisius College, Fairfield University, Iona College, Manhattan College, Marist College, Monmouth University, Niagara University, Quinnipiac University, Rider University, Saint Peter’s University, and Siena College.
 
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