HAMDEN, Conn. (AP) -James Johnson led five players in double figures with 23 points and Quinnipiac defeated Monmouth (N.J.) 84-75 on Thursday night in the quarterfinals of the Northeast Conference tournament.
Justin Rutty added 14 points and 13 rebounds for the No. 1 seeded Bobcats (22-8), who shot 55.3 percent from the field (26 of 47).
Johnson helped seal it at the free throw line, hitting 8 of 10, along with two critical 3-pointers in the second half. The second 3 gave Quinnipiac a 70-63 lead with 3:46 remaining, and the Hawks (12-19) wouldn't get closer than six the rest of the way.
James Feldeine scored 15 points, Jeremy Baker 13 and Deontay Twyman 10 for the Bobcats.
Quinnipiac will face Long Island, 63-61 winners over Fairleigh Dickinson, in the semifinals on March 7.
Whitney Coleman led No. 8 seeded Monmouth with 22 points and Justin Sofman added 21, including six 3-pointers.
