LILLINGTON, N.C. (Interstat) — Jason Rivera-Torres recorded a double-double and Justin Ray scored a game-high 24 points as Monmouth avenged a loss from earlier in the season with an 88-73 victory over Campbell in a Colonial Athletic Association men’s basketball game Saturday at John W. Pope, Jr. Convocation Center.

The most important part of the game was a decisive second-half surge by the Hawks, who turned a narrow halftime lead into a comfortable victory by clamping down defensively and capitalizing on a dominant performance on the glass. After leading 40-38 at the break, Monmouth opened the second half with increased defensive intensity, holding Campbell to just two field goals over the first six minutes while building a double-digit lead it would not relinquish.

Monmouth improved to 10-11 overall, while Campbell fell to 9-12. The result flipped the script from the teams’ previous meeting on Dec. 31, when the Fightin’ Camels edged Monmouth 68-65.

Rivera-Torres, a 6-foot-7 guard from the Bronx, New York, was the catalyst for the Hawks. He finished with 19 points, 12 rebounds, six assists and a block in 30 minutes, controlling the flow of the game on both ends. His performance marked a significant rebound from a quiet four-point outing in his previous game against Drexel.

Ray, a guard from Greer, South Carolina, provided the scoring punch, hitting four 3-pointers en route to his 24 points. Jack Collins of Manasquan, New Jersey, orchestrated the offense with nine assists to go with 17 points. Cornelius Robinson added 11 points and five rebounds for a balanced Monmouth attack.

Campbell was led by Jeremiah Johnson’s 21 points. Tasos Cook scored 15 and Cam Gregory added 15, but the Fightin’ Camels struggled to find consistent offense, particularly from beyond the arc where they shot 7 for 26. Monmouth, by contrast, was efficient, shooting 58.2% from the field and 53.3% from 3-point range.

The game’s key statistical disparity came in shooting efficiency. Despite both teams having an identical 72 possessions, Monmouth’s offensive execution was far superior. The Hawks posted an offensive rating of 122.4 points per 100 possessions, compared to Campbell’s 100.9. Monmouth’s ability to convert its chances, coupled with a plus-8 advantage in offensive rebounds that led to 15 second-chance points, proved insurmountable for the home team.

Campbell opened the game with energy, taking an early 7-2 lead behind a 3-pointer from Cook and a layup from Johnson. Monmouth responded with a 12-2 run, fueled by 3-pointers from Ray and Rivera-Torres, to seize a lead it would hold for the remainder of the contest. The Hawks led by as many as 11 in the first half before Campbell closed the gap to two at halftime.

The second half belonged entirely to Monmouth. A 10-2 run out of the locker room, featuring a layup and a free throw from Robinson and a 3-pointer from Ray, extended the lead to 50-42. Campbell never got closer than six points the rest of the way as Monmouth’s lead ballooned to as many as 18 points in the final minutes.

Monmouth’s ball security was an issue, as it committed 16 turnovers leading to 17 Campbell points. However, the Hawks compensated by forcing eight Campbell turnovers and dominating the rebounding battle 38-28, including 11 offensive boards.

The Hawks’ victory defied the pregame projections, as Campbell had been installed as a 5.5-point favorite by oddsmakers. The combined score of 161 points sailed over the pregame over/under line of 149.

Monmouth next hosts North Carolina A&T on Thursday. Campbell will look to rebound at home against Stony Brook, also on Thursday.