Monmouth knocks off another big school, 83-73 over USC
LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. (AP) Justin Robinson scored 27 points, Micah Seaborn added 20 and Monmouth beat USC 83-73 in the third-place game of the AdvoCare Invitational on Sunday.
USC's Nikola Jovanovic made two free throws to pull within 73-70, but Robinson responded with a 3-pointer to put Monmouth up 76-70 with 55 seconds remaining. Seaborn made it an 11-point game with a 3-point play with 28 seconds left.
Deon Jones had 14 points and 10 rebounds for Monmouth (4-2).
Robinson had 10 points in the first half to help Monmouth rally from an early six-point deficit to go up 38-29 at halftime.
USC (5-2) was paced by Julian Jacobs with 19 points. Bennie Boatwright added 16 points and nine rebounds. Jordan McLaughlin, who sat out the second half of Friday's game against No. 23 Xavier due to a broken nose, played with protective guard. He had five points and five assists.
Seaborn hit a 3 as Monmouth extended its lead to 51-37 early in the second half.
After trailing by 14, USC got back within 68-64 on Jacobs' layup with 4 minutes to go. But Collin Stewart answered with a 3-ponter and Jones' dunk with 1:41 left made it 73-68.
The two teams met earlier this season, with USC beating the Hawks 101-90 on Nov. 16.
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TIP-INS
USC: It was the first time since 1967 that the Trojans played the same opponent twice in the same season within the first seven games.
Monmouth: This was the first time this season the Hawks led at the half.
UP NEXT
USC: Plays at UC Santa Barbara Thursday night.
Monmouth: Opens the MAAC season Friday night at Canisius.
