WEST LONG BRANCH, N.J. - The Monmouth University women's basketball team won its fourth straight game, defeating Columbia, 67-64 in nonconference action on Sunday afternoon at the Multipurpose Activity Center. The Hawks, who improve to 5-2 on the year, placed four players figures, led by Alysha Womack's (Springfield, Pa. /Cardinal O'Hara) 15 points. The Ivy League's Lions, who were paced by Kathleen Barry's game-high 18 points, fall to 0-7.
"I think the team can take a few lessons out of today's game," said MU head coach Stephanie V. Gaitley. "We learned that we have to bring our best effort every game, and today we defended our home court again."
The game was closely contested throughout, featuring five lead changes and four ties, and neither squad held a double-digit advantage during the contest.
Womack's 15 points, on 6-of-20 shooting, led the Hawks. She added five rebounds and four assists in a team-high 36 minutes played. Gena Broadus (Washington, D.C. /Archbishop Carroll [George Mason]) scored 14 points on 6-of-10 shooting, while Erin Rooney (Christchurch, N.Z. /Marian College) went for 12 points (4-of-8 FG) and three assists. Abby Martin (Maplewood, N.J. /Columbia) contributed 10 points and seven rebounds in the win.
The Hawks took their biggest lead of the game at 35-26 with 2:36 left before halftime after a Broadus free throw. The Lions went on an 11-5 run to end the opening half, cutting MU's lead to 40-37 at the break. Monmouth shot only 40.5% from the field in the opening half, but did connect on 4-of-8 of its three-pointers; however it only committed one turnover in the first 20 minutes. The Lions shot 57.1% in the first half.
Columbia took a 54-51 lead on a hoop by Barry with 9:55 left in the game, but the Hawks regained the lead two minutes later on a Broadus jumper, and after a quick 8-0 run, MU held a 59-54 lead with 5:30 left.
Monmouth held a seven-point lead with 3:46 left, but Columbia pulled to within two points at 66-64 with 1:19 left. Broadus converted 1-of-2 free throws with 12 seconds left and the Lions' desperation triple at the buzzer fell short.
Carly Thibault (East Lyme, Conn. /East Lyme) added a pair of three's, in addition to two assists and two steals, while Alexis Canady (Forestville, Md. /Bishop McNamara) scored five points, dished out five assists and pulled down four rebounds. Gabby Singer (Harrisburg, Pa. /Central Dauphin) added five points as well, to go along with a team-high three steals.
MU shot 40% for the game, but committed a season-low seven turnovers, adding 18 assists as a team. The Hawks held Columbia to 38.7% shooting in the second half, and turned its 18 turnovers into 22 points.
Monmouth returns to action on Thursday when it opens Northeast Conference play by hosting Central Connecticut State at 7:00 pm.
