WEST LONG BRANCH, N.J.- Monmouth University's women's basketball team snapped a five game losing streak on Monday night, defeating Howard 46-28 in Boylan gym.
The Hawk defense allowed just 28 total points, which set the record for fewest points scored in a game, with the previous record of 32 allowed coming against Saint Francis (N.Y.) in January of 1989. Howard shot just 21.4 percent from the floor, including 17.4 percent in the second half.
“Our defense played very well tonight,” said Monmouth coach Stephanie V. Gaitley. “The game was a tale of two halves, we executed better in the second half while keeping up the defensive intensity. Our defense will be the key as we move forward and into conference play.”
After its offense shot just 22 percent, it took just one possession for MU to score in the second half, expanding the halftime lead to 15-12. The Bison were unable to hit a shot for the first 4:19 of the frame, finally tallying a bucket on a Tamaya Daniels layup. The shot broke a 10:40 scoring draught for Howard but the visitors still trailed 18-14 with 14:00 left in regulation. Freshman Alexis Scott's (Somerset, N.J.) right wing three pointer put MU ahead by seven with 12:39.
MU pushed their lead to 10 on back to back possessions, first a three pointer by Alexis Canady (Forestville, Md.) which was followed up by LaKia Barber (Clinton, Md.) scoring on a fast break layup after a Howard turnover. Monmouth took over from there cruising the rest of the way by outscoring the Bison 22-14.
Howard struck first but the Hawks tied it up on a Jennifer Bender (Staten Island, N.Y.) layup before the Bison went on a 7-2 over the opening five minutes of the first half. Down 10-4, the Hawks got back to back baskets from Montas and Bender to close to within two. MU knotted the game up at 10-10 on a Scott jumper at the 9:08 mark but each offense would struggle down the stretch. Trailing by Laura Forbes (Eatontown, N.J.) knocked down a 16 footer to give MU its first lead of the game, 13-12 with just under a minute to play. At the half the Hawks held that one point lead while the 12 points allowed tied the school record for fewest points allowed in the first half (Robert Morris, 2003).
Monmouth's offense recovered from the first half, scoring 33 points in the second frame on 62.5 percent shooting. Canady led the Hawks with 12 points, a career mark for the first year guard. Scott led MU on the glass with 11, which also set a personal best. Bender chipped in 12 points and seven rebounds while Montas finished with five dimes. Monmouth out-rebounded Howard 40-32 in the game.
Daniels led all scorers with 13 points, chipping in 11 rebounds in the loss for the Bison.
Monmouth will look to pull even in the win-loss column on Wednesday when they face Villanova on the road at 7 p.m.
