WEST LONG BRANCH, N.J. -- Justin Robinson scored 15 points while Andrew Nicholas and Deon Jones added 12 each as Monmouth defeated Central Connecticut State 65-50 at the NABC College Basketball Experience Hall of Fame Classic on Saturday night.

Monmouth (2-1) overcame a game-opening 12-0 gap and held off several more CCSU (0-4) rallies after halftime.

The Hawks were cold at the start of the second half, getting out of the chute 1 of 7 while the Blue Devils hit four of their first five shots and closed within two points. Robinson and Jones each hit key 3-pointers to boost the lead back to eight in just 90 seconds.

Monmouth made nine 3-pointers in 20 attempts. The Blue Devils were 4 of 14.

Khalen Cumberlander led CCSU with 15 points, Faronte Drakeford added 12 and Matt Mobley 11.

In a streaky game, CCSU went scoreless for more than 10 minutes in the early going.