During the MAAC tournament last season, Cluess and Monmouth coach King Rice exchanged words during the game and didn’t back down after it.
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Iona suspended junior forward Jordan Washington for two games following a skirmish at the end of Friday night’s 110-102 loss to Monmouth.
Washington will miss Sunday’s game at Rider and Friday’s game against Saint Peter’s. “We should know and will use better judgment in the future, regardless of provocation”. But the situation remains fluid, as video tape and statements are being reviewed.
It appears to be the opening salvo in an ever-tightening market for Monmouth University men’s basketball tickets, with only seats in the upper reaches of the Multipurpose Activities Center remaining for the Hawks final eight home games.
The teams didn’t finally leave the floor until yellow-clad security guards intervened.
After the fight, Rice told the media that Brady’s nose was pretty messed up as a result of the slap. “I didn’t know if they were on the team or wearing uniforms as cheerleaders…” The slap exacerbated a heated shoving match that had already begun between players and it took several minutes before law enforcement and team personnel could restrain them. Cluess would then double down on his comments, saying “I’ve never seen them on the court doing anything, so to me, they’re not basketball players”.
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The two teams will meet again February 19 at Monmouth.
