Bryan Geffen’s (Queens, N.Y.) three-pointer with 2.6 seconds remaining in regulation gave Quinnipiac a 62-60 win over Monmouth University in a Northeast Conference game at the TD Banknorth Sports Center in Hamden, Conn. The Bobcats improve to 14-12 overall and 10-5 in the NEC while Monmouth drops to 6-21 overall and 3-12 in the NEC.

Quinnipiac, playing without DeMario Anderson due to a death in the senior guard’s family, had three players total 11 points in Karl Anderson (Chester, N.Y.), Evann Baker (Washington, D.C.) and Justin Rutty (Newburgh, N.Y.). The Bobcats had eight players score overall.

Both teams played to a draw after the first half as Quinnipiac held a slight 26-25 lead. Quinnipiac held Monmouth scoreless over the first 5:24 of the game. Quinnipiac’s largest lead of six points came early in the half when they jumped out to an 8-2 lead with 13:52 remaining in the first frame. Monmouth countered with an 8-3 run to cut Quinnipiac’s lead to 11-10 halfway through the first half. Monmouth’s James Hett led all scorers with 10 points in the first half, while also converting on three assists. Alex Nunner had eight points for the Hawks.

For Quinnipiac, seven different players scored in the first half, led by Evann Baker (Washington, D.C.) with six points and four rebounds. Brookins and Anderson five points and four rebounds each in the first half.

Monmouth used a 6-0 run to open the half as they jumped out to a 31-26 lead. Monmouth held a 34-31 lead before they converted on three straight three-point attempts as Hett knocked one down from the right wing and Yaniv Simpson hit back-to-back three-pointers to give Monmouth a 43-34 lead with just under 11 minutes to play.

The Bobcats responded with an 8-0 run to close the gap to 43-42 with nine minutes to play. Quinnipac took their first lead since halftime with just over three minutes to play, 51-49, on a basket by James Feldeine (New York, N.Y.). Justin Rutty (Newburgh, N.Y.) put back a blocked Baker shot and Casey Cosgrove (Andover, Mass.) knocked down a three-pointer from in front of the Quinnipiac bench to give the Bobcats a 56-49 lead with two minutes to play.

Monmouth mounted a comeback, cutting the Bobcats’ lead to 59-57 with 47 seconds remaining in regulation. Jhamar Youngblood then knocked down a three-pointer to give Monmouth a one-point lead, 60-59, with eight seconds remaining in regulation. Geffen’s three-pointer, from well behind the three-point line, gave Quinnipiac the 62-60 lead with 2.6 seconds remaining. Simpson’s desperation heave from half court fell short and to the right.

The Bobcats return to action on Saturday, Feb. 23 when they host in-state rival Sacred Heart University at 4 p.m. at the TD Banknorth Sports Center in Hamden, Conn.