COLLEGE PARK, Md. - The Monmouth University women's basketball team dropped its 2010-11 season-opener to the #21-nationally ranked University of Maryland, 73-40 at the Comcast Center on Saturday evening.
The Hawks were paced offensively by sophomore guard Alysha Womack (Springfield, Pa. /Cardinal O'Hara), who led the way with 13 points. The reigning Northeast Conference Rookie of the Year connected on 5-of-13 field goals, including 3-of-7 from three-point range.
The Terrapins placed four players in double figures, led by Laurin Mincy's 15 points.
Maryland jumped out on a 13-2 lead within the first 3:30 of the game, led by junior Kim Rodgers' back-to-back three pointers into the first media timeout.
After the timeout, the Terps continued their run, extending their lead to 24-2. Monmouth cut the lead to 26-9 with 9:47 left in the first half with a 7-0 run of its own behind sophomore Abby Martin (Maplewood, N.J. /Columbia), who gathered an offensive rebound and followed with a put-back. After a UM turnover, Martin continued her scoring ways when she connected on a mid-range jumper with 10:53 left. After another Terps' turnover, sophomore Gabby Singer (Harrisburg, Pa. /Central Dauphin) knocked in a three-pointer from the left wing, forcing a Maryland timeout.
Monmouth shot 24% in the first half and went into the break trailing 43-18. The Hawks turned the ball over 15 times leading to 10 Terrapin points, while Maryland converted all 14 of its first half foul shots.
After an Erin Rooney (Christchruch, N.Z. /Marian College) three-pointer along the left wing, Maryland added to its lead to as Diandra Tchatchouang hit a jumper in the lane and a Lynetta Kizer converted a traditional three-point play to go ahead 50-23 with 15 minutes left in the half.
Womack knocked down a triple with 9:30 left to reduce the lead to 59-30. The Hawks' next trip down the floor, Martin knocked down a mid-range jumper to bring the score 63-32.
Womack connected on another three it 3:39 left in the game and then recorded a steal. On the ensuing play, she connected on a step-back jumper to bring the Hawks within 71-37. After the media timeout, sophomore Chevannah Paalvast (Auckland, N.Z. /Massey) collected the defensive rebound and found a streaking Singer for a transition three to cut the lead to 71-40.
Monmouth shot 32.1% in the second half and 28.3% for the game. The Hawks hit 6-15 (40%) from three-point range, but their 22 total turnovers led to 21 UM points.
Singer and Martin each finished with six points apiece, adding five and six rebounds, respectively.
The Hawks return to action on Thursday when they visit Saint Peter's for a 7:00 pm nonconference contest.
