Robert Morris 64, Monmouth, N.J. 50

3/6/2008 8:50 PM

CORAOPOLIS, Pa. (AP) -Tony Lee and Jimmy Langhurst had 15 points each as top-seeded Robert Morris needed a late run to beat No. 8 seed Monmouth, 64-50, in the Northeast Conference tournament quarterfinals Thursday night.

The Colonials (26-6) extended their school-record winning streak to 14 games, despite a tough game by Monmouth, (7-24), who had lost 10 of their past 12.

Monmouth did not trail until 10 seconds remained in the first half. The Hawks led by as many as eight and were within two at 40-38 with 6:33 to play. But Robert Morris went on a 20-6 run to advance to the NEC semifinals. Lee, the NEC player of the year, scored 10 of the first Robert Morris' first 13 points during that run.

Yaniv Simpson led Monmouth with 18 points. R.J. Rutledge added 12 points.

Robert Morris tied Cornell for the nation's second-longest active winning streak behind Davidson's 19. Still, the Colonials had only one field goal during the game's first nine minutes and did not take the lead until 10 seconds remained in the first half.

Robert Morris is the top-scoring team in the NEC, but scored the fewest points since the Colonials last faced Monmouth, in a 61-60 win Jan. 31. The Colonials also led the conference in field goal shooting at 46.7 percent but shot only 33.3 percent - their second-worst shooting performance all season. The Hawks shot only 31.3 percent.

The Colonials will play host to No. 4 seed Mount St. Mary's Sunday in the semifinals. Mount St. Mary's was an 80-70 winner over Quinnipiac Thursday.

The championship game will be played Wednesday at the home of the highest remaining seed.