Monmouth basketball with new look puts rivals on notice. Four takeaways

PHILADELPHIA — For the first time this season the Monmouth men’s basketball team has the lineup on the court that was planned for last summer.

It’s been worth the wait.

Newcomer Kavion McClain dazzled with 20 points, 6 assists and 3 steals and Monmouth dominated host Drexel 93-73 in a Coastal Athletic Association game Thursday night, Feb. 12.

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It was McClain’s second game back after being benched by the NCAA for 23 games as potential unspecified rules violations have been looked into. The NCAA “informed us that Kavion was permitted to compete even though the process is still ongoing,” Monmouth’s Athletic Director Jen Sansevero said this week.

With Cornelius Robinson also scoring 20 points, the Hawks (13-12, 7-5) were nearly unstoppable with their new look. Drexel won in a blowout when the teams met earlier – it was much different this time.

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“We have a chance like everybody else now,” Monmouth coach King Rice said. “This isn’t now I’m talking junk. Kavion is a difference maker. We said that from the beginning that he’s kept his head cool and been able to continue to get better without playing all year with all the things he was under is unbelievable.”

Robinson’s 20 was his season high. He’s originally from Willingboro, just half an hour away from Drexel’s Daskalakis Athletic Center.

“It was good coming back in front of my family and friends and being able to get a win,” he said.

Monmouth’s Kavion McClain dribbles ball up court against Drexel (Feb. 12, 2026)

4 TAKEAWAYS

1. Kavion McClain’s presence is felt

It’s not hard to see why Rice raved about his transfer guard before the season. In his second game back, McClain controlled the pace of the game. When the Dragons opened the game up with a 5-0 run, a McClain 3-pointer sparked a 10-0 run in response. From there on McClain continued to do virtually…

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Publish date : 2026-02-13 04:00:00

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