GAME NOTES: The CBE Hall of Fame Classic continues Friday when the host Monmouth Hawks take on the Bethune-Cookman Wildcats in a non-conference clash at the Multipurpose Activity Center.

Bethune-Cookman opened the season with a resounding victory over Trinity College, 91-69, but the team fell in an ugly offensive performance to Arizona State on Monday, 49-39. The Wildcats are getting set for three consecutive days of tournament basketball.

Monmouth has only played in one game this season - a tough 64-54 loss to West Virginia on the road. Over the next three days, the host Hawks will take on three different opponents in the CBE Hall of Fame Classic.

This contest between Bethune-Cookman and Monmouth on Friday will represent the first-ever clash between the two programs.

It was a truly dismal performance by both Bethune-Cookman and Arizona State on Monday, considering both teams suffered through some terrible shooting performances. The Wildcats connected on just 20.8 percent of their field goal tries in the first half (and scored 14 points in the initial 20 minutes), missing all eight of their 3-point attempts. The team found a bit of a rhythm in the second half, but still only made nine baskets for 25 points total. Not one player for the team registered a scoring total in double figures, though Quentin Brewer came close with nine points, adding in nine rebounds. The Wildcats finished the contest shooting 31.8 percent, and held the Sun Devils to 37.8 percent shooting from the floor.

Even though the Wildcats could only manage 39 points against Arizona State, the team still averages 65.0 ppg as a unit through two contests. Bethune- Cookman is led by Mikel Trapp, who nets 15.5 ppg on 50 percent shooting from the floor. Clemmye Owens is the only other Wildcats player to average a double-digit scoring total, bringing in a 14.0 ppg mark to the contest with Monmouth. Brewer's 8.5 ppg average and 10.5 rpg marks are as close as any player is to averaging a double-double.

Last season was Monmouth's first as a member of the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference after the team moved over from the Northeast Conference. It was a struggle at many points during the season for the Hawks, who finished 10 games under .500 with a 5-15 mark in conference play. Monmouth was also bumped from the conference tournament early with a first-round loss to Rider. The good news for the Hawks this season is that four starters return, so at least the team can lean on some experience. Deon Jones (15.1 ppg, 6.9 rpg) and Andrew Nicholas (14.3 ppg, 3.3 rpg) will once again be the two focal points of an offense that was lacking at times last season.

And there the two scorers were on Friday in the team's opening contest against West Virginia. Jones led the Hawks in scoring with 14 points against the Mountaineers, adding in four rebounds and a perfect 6-for-6 mark from the free- throw line. Nicholas was the only other Monmouth player in double figures, chipping in 10 points with four rebounds of his own. Brice Kofane netted eight points and grabbed a team-best 11 boards in the loss.

This contest could lend itself to defense, considering these two teams offensively aren't the strongest of the bunch. But with the home advantage in the tournament and a solid returning core of players, the Hawks should be able to take control on opening day.