Azotam, Quinnipiac power past Monmouth 94-77

Jan 4, 2014, 05:14 pm

WEST LONG BRANCH, N.J. -- Ike Azotam had 24 points and 16 rebounds and Umar Shannon added 23 points with five 3-pointers to spark Quinnipiac past Monmouth 94-77 Saturday.

The Bobcats (7-5, 2-1 Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference) looked to pull away early with an Azotam dunk pushing the lead to 27-13 midway through the first half.

Monmouth (7-8, 1-3) climbed back with a 21-8 run to tie the score at 38, but Quinnipiac closed the half with seven straight points fueled by a layup and four free throws from Azotam. A pair of Shannon 3-pointers with an Azotam layup in between ignited a 17-4 surge, putting the Bobcats ahead comfortably, 72-49 with 13:22 remaining.

Quinnipiac shot 50 percent from the field and outrebounded Monmouth 45-24. Ousmane Drame, Zaid Hearst and Kasim Chandler each had 10 points.

Justin Robinson had 15 points and six assists to pace the Hawks, while Deon Jones added 14.