Sports

Steele Emerging as Monmouth's Best Player

Junior guard named NEC Player of the Week

is a basketball team that has lacks stars and true go-to guy in criticial situations over the last few years.

However, junior guard Jesse Steele is starting to emerge as an impact player for the Hawks, and he was rewarded for his recent hot streak by being named Choice Hotels/NEC Player of the Week on Monday.

Steele averaged 19 in Monmouth's consecutive victories over Navy and Fordham last week, hitting 62 percent of his shots and 67 percent from 3-point range.

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He is leading the team in scoring with 11.3 points per game and also has a team-high 33 assists this season.

In Monmouth's 81-66 loss to Rutgers on Monday night, Steele chipped in with nine points and helped lead the Hawks to a 10-point first half lead. However, the team could not hold its lead and fell to its in-state rival after being outscored 44-31 in the second half.

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It was a rare off-day for Steele as he only connected on 3 of 11 shots, but the team's leading scorer will have plenty of time to forget the loss as the Hawks will have a 10-day break before its next game on Dec. 22 against Rider. The game is scheduled for 7 p.m. at the MAC.


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