NEW HAVEN, Conn. – Azar Swain became Yale's all-time leader in three-point field goals made on Tuesday. The record-breaking three nearly was the spark in a big Bulldog comeback. Instead, Monmouth held on for a 69-60 victory.
Swain's 230
th career trey pulled Yale within 41-31 with 10:12 left in the second half. It also got the Lee Amphitheater crowd revved up. And five minutes later, the Bulldogs had cut what was once a 20-point deficit down to three, 53-50.
The Hawks, though, are an experienced bunch – they start four graduate students – and they made plays down the stretch to hold on for the victory.
Swain finished with a team-high 17 points. He broke the record previously set by Ed Petersen from 1988 to 1992.
"It's hard to take it in right now," said Swain. "I'm sure I'll think about it later. It's a credit to the trust my teammates have had in me and the result of a lot of work. I can't explain how much time I've spent with my dad critiquing my shot."
James Jones, The Joel E. Smilow, Class of 1954 Head Coach of the Bulldogs, isn't surprised by Swain's accomplishment.
"I envisioned him breaking the record when we recruited him," Jones said. "It's great for Azar. He has done so much for our program."
Jalen Gabbidon added 14 points and
Eze Dike scored 10 for the Bulldogs (6-7).
Monmouth was led by Walker Miller, who scored 16 points and grabbed nine rebounds. Shavar Reynolds had 15 points, and Nikkei Rutty tallied 12 points and eight rebounds.
The Hawks (9-2) had a 43-27 advantage on the boards.
"They did a great job rebounding, and we did not," Jones said.
Monmouth was fresh off a victory at Pittsburgh on Sunday. The Hawks, who have won a nation's best seven true road games, also have victories over Cincinnati and Princeton on their resume.
Yale now takes a break for final exams before hosting Howard next Thursday, Dec. 23, at 2 p.m.
