Ball finally in Andrew’s court: Monmouth hoops supersub sparks victory

WEST LONG BRANCH — New Jersey native Andrew Ball came off the bench and scored a season-high 18 points with four rebounds, helping lift the host Monmouth University men’s basketball team to an 81-70 victory over William & Mary Thursday night.

Ball is out of Shawnee High School in Burlington County – the same school where William & Mary coach Brian Earl starred. Earl went on to play at Princeton and was Cornell’s head coach for seven years before taking over the Tribe before last season.

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Ball called Earl “a legend at Shawnee. He’s up on the 1,000-point board…I have so much respect for him obviously because he comes from where I’m from.”

“He’s done good things here,” Earl said of Ball.”He’s stuck here for a lot of years which is rare, so it’s good for a hometown kid to do well.”

Monmouth’s Andrew Ball in action during Monmouth University mens basketball vs William & Mary on Thursday, January 8, 2026 in West Long Branch, New Jersey.

Ball is a redshirt senior who went two years without starting a game – he missed his sophomore year with an injury and played 11 minutes per game in his return season – but he’s been a revelation in the current campaign for the Hawks (8-8, 2-1 Coastal Athletic Association), who won their second straight game.

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The 6-foor-9 Ball hit jumpers, slammed dunks and also played well defensively. Whether it was his catch and shoot ability or using his size in the paint, when Ball got going he was tough to stop.

“Just playing confident,” Ball said. “Coach (King) Rice instills confidence in me everyday, my teammates (at) practice everyday since the summer. Teammates got me open, we played the right way, shared the ball and just hit the ball, so it was a good day.”

Ball has started four games but has provided a consistent boost off the bench. His averages of 7.5 points and 4.1 rebounds are career highs.’

No matter his role – starting or subbing – Ball presents with high-energy and encouraging his teammates.

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“Andrew’s one of…

Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/ball-finally-andrews-court-monmouth-043344633.html

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Publish date : 2026-01-09 04:33:00

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