WEST LONG BRANCH, N.J. (AP) — Andrew Nicholas scored 15 points and Monmouth (N.J.) used a late-game surge to overtake Sacred Heart 63-56 Thursday night.
A 3-pointer by Jesse Steele started a 13-0 run for the Hawks (7-17, 5-6 Northeast Conference), just 4 seconds after the Pioneers (10-14, 4-7) had taken a 54-46 lead with 2:31 remaining.
Two consecutive Monmouth turnovers led to layups by Dion Nesmith and Nicholas, then Ed Waite’s layup with 55 seconds left put the Hawks ahead 55-54.
Monmouth made it 59-54 on a layup by Austin Tillotson and two free throws by Steele. It finished with a 22-6 edge in points in the paint and got 13 points off 21 Sacred Heart turnovers. The Pioneers got one point from 11 Monmouth turnovers.
