PHILADELPHIA, Pa. - The Lafayette men's basketball team was defeated by Monmouth, 63-53, on Saturday afternoon during day two of the 2023 Cathedral of College Basketball Classic at the Palestra.

Lafayette's top performance came through Devin Hines, who scored 14 points to go along with six rebounds and two assists. Kyle Jenkins also scored in double figures, totaling 10 points, six rebounds and two assists.

Monmouth took an early lead in the first half, 9-3, using five points by Xander Rice down to 14:34. The Hawks extended their lead over the following seven minutes despite an equal 9-9 scoring run, 18-12.

Rice's 3-pointer and subsequent trio of free throws kept Monmouth out of reach for the remainder of the half, 29-17, at 3:28. The Hawks, shooting 40 percent on 28 attempts from the floor, held a 32-17 lead going into the locker room.

Lafayette dominated the opening five minutes of the second half, making an 11-2 run down to 15:05 to close the gap to 34-29. Junior guard Hines led the charge with five points, followed by Jenkins with four.

The Hawks retaliated with a 13-5 run of their own, comprised mostly of points by Rice (6) to leading 47-34 at 9:26.

Jenkins ended the advance with a layup-and-one before sophomore Ryan Pettit sank a 3-pointer to pull Lafayette within seven, 47-40, just two minutes later.

From the eight-minute mark to 4:58, Monmouth edged Lafayette with a 9-5 run to lead 56-45. The Hawks then held the Leopards scoreless until the final minute when Wyche and Hines combined for five points in the 63-53 final.

Rice led Monmouth with 22 points, three assists and two rebounds. The Maroon and White out-rebounded the Hawks 40-39 overall.

The Leopards conclude the Cathedral Classic against Belmont on Sunday at noon.
 

For the latest on the Lafayette College men's basketball program, follow the Leopards on Twitter @LafayetteMBB and Instagram @lafayettembb.