Campbell's record second half scoring helps Camels crush Monmouth, 81-58

Buies Creek, NC- Monmouth and Campbell are the two newest additions to the CAA, with Monmouth's first season being in 2022-23 and Campbell's in 2023-24. These two teams have played each other twice, with Monmouth leading the series 2-0. Despite the short history, both games were chippy and nothing short of electric. That certainly added to the excitement heading into a game that both of these teams desperately needed to win.

The game got off to a slow start for both teams. Monmouth led 6-3 at the under 16 media timeout. By the next timeout with 9:59 left in the first half, it was 13-12 and the physicality was cranked up once both teams settled in. Monmouth went on a 9-0 run, which was their largest run of the game, and which gave them them their largest lead of the game, 22-13, with 6:04 remaining in the first half. Campbell's shooting woes continued from the Charleston game as they shot 34.5% from the field and 21.4% from three-point range. We headed into the break tied at 27 a piece.

Monmouth's Abdi Bashir Jr. mid-range jumper attempt over Campbell's Cam Gregory

This game was a tale of two halves. Campbell was able to get Colby Duggan going early on in the second half to turn their offense around. In the first frame of the second half, Campbell went on a 7-0 run in 1:31 led entirelty by Duggan. His evolution as the teams leading scorer has fueled the Camels in many second halves this season. Cam Gregory got into foul trouble about halfway through the first half and veteran guard Tasos Cook provided a spark of energy and intensity off the bench that fueled the Camels down the stretch. Campbell Head Coach Kevin McGeehan said postgame, "you can count on him to give you everything he has." I asked Tasos about his thoughts on his impact on the win tonight

"Whether it's vocally or by example, I want to go out and provide for the rest of the team. Whether its score or playing defense, I want to do what I can coming off the bench because I know it's hard for the starting five out there. It's a long game, up and down, guys get exhausted. We need a presence off the bench. Its good to have energy there as well. I think that's what makes our team strong [having guys off the bench]. I feel like that's where I bring value to the team."

Campbell Guard Tasos Cook | Photo Credit: Simon Barbre

Monmouth was held to 31 points in the second half and had no double figure scorer. Citadel transfer Madison Durr was the bright spot for the Hawks. He had 9 points in the second half and finished with a team high 18 points. Campbell went on to defeat Monmouth, 81-58.

Campbell had four players finish in double-figures (Sinani, Duggan, Van Der Heijden, Zurliene). Zurliene scored a game high 21 points, which is also his career-high in a Campbell uniform and at the Division I level. Coach Kevin McGeehan was proud of Van Der Heijden's performance in this game. "I thought Eric [Van Der Heijden] had a terrific game. Probably his best game as a Camel...He looked like he had a little something to him. It wasn't about scoring. For him to have 10 points, 8 rebounds, 5 assists, and 0 turnovers, that's a pretty darn good game", McGeehan said.

Campbell's next two games are on the road as they take on the Long Island teams, Stony Brook and Hoftsra. I asked Coach McGeehan how you prepare a team for heading on the road to play two tough conference games and what he took away from this win to give him confidence for this upcoming stretch:

"Not that much changes. When you're steeped in defensive principles like we are and I can honestly say this the most steeped we have been in that, it makes the preparation a little more clean. This is what we do... this is a kind of team that can travel and be ready to roll."

This a win that the Camels can build on as conference play continues. As I have said before, this league is deep and there is no night off. Campbell has a lot to be excited about as they head to Long Island.

Both team's begin a two game road trip starting next Thursday, January 23rd. Monmouth's plays at Elon on Thursday, January 23rd, 2025 at 7 p.m. Campbell's next game is at Stony Brook on Thursday, January 23rd, 2025 at 7 p.m. Both games can be viewed on FloCollege. Follow along on X (@TrevorEverette) for live game updates, and for more of my work on House of College Hoops and House Enterprise, head here.