WEST LONG BRANCH, N.J. -- — Xander Rice scored 21 points as Monmouth beat Towson 51-43 on Thursday night in the Coastal Athletic Conference opener for both teams.

Rice shot 5 for 13 (1 for 5 from 3-point range) and 10 of 11 from the free throw line for the Hawks (8-6). Jaret Valencia scored nine points while shooting 4 of 7 from the field and 1 for 4 from the line, and added three blocks. Jack Collins had six points and shot 3 for 11, including 0 for 6 from beyond the arc.

The Tigers (7-7) were led in scoring by Christian May, who finished with 12 points. Dylan Williamson added seven points and four assists for Towson.

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The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.