WASHINGTON, D.C. – Ante Brzovic scored 22 points, including a game-tying layup with 18 seconds left in regulation, and Derrin Boyd tallied four of his 16 points during overtime to lift the third-seeded College of Charleston Cougars past the No. 6 Monmouth Hawks, 79-78, on Sunday night at the CareFirst Arena, securing their spot in the semifinals of the Jersey Mike’s Coastal Athletic Association (CAA) Men’s Basketball Championship.
Charleston, the reigning CAA champion, continues their pursuit of another title and will face the No. 2 seed, UNCW, on Monday at 8:30 p.m. Meanwhile, Monmouth concluded their season with a disappointing 13-20 record, having advanced to the quarterfinals for the second consecutive year.
The game showcased intense competitive spirit, with seven lead changes and six ties, particularly notable during the first half where neither team managed to establish dominance. An early score from Brzovic allowed Charleston to briefly lead 7-2, but the game remained tightly contested throughout the period. Jack Collins led the Hawks at halftime with nine points, courtesy of three successful three-pointers, and Monmouth found themselves just one point behind at 34-33.
Charleston surged out of the break with eight consecutive points, extending their lead to 44-35 following another basket from Brzovic with 17:27 left to play. Monmouth, undeterred, responded swiftly with 10 unanswered points from Abdi Bashir Jr., who would finish the game with a remarkable 24 points. By the 12:38 mark of the second half, Bashir's deep three-pointer helped put Monmouth up 51-48. The teams exchanged leads wildly down the stretch, with Monmouth’s Cornelius Robinson Jr. making key layups to give the Hawks the edge at certain moments.
With less than a minute remaining, Bashir hit his sixth three-pointer, granting Monmouth a two-point lead, but Charleston's Brzovic would not be outdone. He tied the game with his layup, leading to the pivotal overtime period.
During the extra session, the tension remained high. Charleston gained the upper hand thanks to CJ Fulton’s layup, positioning them 77-74 with 1:57 left on the clock. Monmouth, relentless until the end, fought back to narrow the gap to just one after Madison Durr scored. Boyd then managed to convert pivotal free throws with just 13.5 seconds left, extending Charleston's advantage to three. Unfortunately for Monmouth, time ran out, and they could only secure a layup as they attempted to rally.
Throughout the game, there were key performances beyond Brzovic and Boyd. AJ Smith delivered 17 points off the bench for the Cougars, contributing to their overall efforts, and CJ Fulton added another 10. On the Monmouth side, besides Bashir, Jack Collins also shone brightly, scoring 15 points, and making history by becoming the 27th player to surpass 1,000 career points at the university.
Monmouth head coach King Rice reflected on the hard-fought battle, stating, "You have to give Charleston all the credit in the world. Our kids fought hard enough to get it done, but Charleston got the win, so you have to take your hat off to them." His admiration for the resilient performance displayed by both teams was evident, as he emphasized the game’s competitive nature.
Brzovic's impressive scoring combined with Boyd's clutch performance highlights why Charleston had the edge on this occasion. The Cougars shot 32 free throws compared to Monmouth's 12, creating significant opportunities to score from the line and contributing to their hard-fought victory.
The Hawks did manage to outperform Charleston from beyond the arc, shooting 36% on three-pointers to Charleston’s 28%, demonstrating their capacity to strike from distance even as they faced elimination.
Charleston’s victory propels them one step closer to defending their title, with significant challenges lying ahead as they prepare for the semifinal encounter with UNCW. The anticipation is palpable and reflects the high stakes of collegiate basketball as teams vie for the championship title.
Charleston's overall record now stands at 24-8, showcasing their formidable resume leading up to the semifinal match. With several players stepping up during crunch time, they’ve shown the depth and resilience needed for championship success.
Fans and analysts alike are now turning their attention to the pivotal semifinal bout, which promises to be equally thrilling as the Cougars look to solidify their standing as top contenders for the CAA crown.