Standish, ME - Sophomore Elbie Murphy (Loudonville, NY) scored all 17 of his points in the second half as the Monks (16-5) defeated Newbury College 82-65 on Saturday at the Alfond Center.

The Monks raced out to a 7-0 start over the first two minutes of play but the Nighthawks responded and took a 10-9 lead on a jumper by Sonny Abraham at 16:40. Herman Honore recorded all four of his blocked shots in the half to keep Newbury within striking distance.

The lead changed five times over the next seven minutes. SR Marcus Alexander (Niceville, FL) put St. Joe's up 18-16 and the Monks would go into the break with a 37-32 edge. GR Chad Pulkkinen (Windham, ME) recorded 11 of his game-high 19 points in the half.

St. Joe's went on a 7-2 run to begin the second stanza, punctuated by a dunk by Alexander, assisted by Murphy. The highlight of the half came with just over 12 minutes remaining in the game. As the shot clock was winding down, Murphy recovered a tipped ball and drained a beyond-half court shot as the buzzer sounded, bringing the SJC student section to their feet.

Despite being down by as much as 16 points, the Nighthawks (12-10) battled back and cut the lead to six with 7 minutes to go on a jumper by Abraham. Pulkkinen drilled one of his four three-pointers and SR Colby Emmons (Portland, ME) hit a jumper to put the Monks up 69-59.

Murphy extended the lead with 8 points over the next minute and a half, knocking down a trey, converting a three-point play and intercepting a Newbury pass and taking it down court for a dunk.

Alexander finished with 13 points and SO R.J. Mattison (Hamden, CT) chipped in with 10 points. The Nighthawks were led by Abraham with 14 points and Arch Mitchell with 12 points.

The Monks host Bowdoin College on Tuesday, February 13, at 7 p.m.