WEST LONG BRANCH, N.J. - The Monmouth University women's basketball team, seeded second, defeated seventh-seeded Quinnipiac University, 55-36 in the quarterfinals of the 2011 Northeast Conference Tournament on Saturday afternoon at the Multipurpose Activity Center.

Monmouth advances to host #4 Robert Morris University on Tuesday evening at 7:00 pm at the MAC. The Colonials defeated #5 Long Island, 78-72 in their NEC Quarterfinal.

MU set a program record for fewest points allowed in a postseason game in the win, while the 19-point margin of victory is the Hawks' largest in a playoff game since defeating Long Island, 82-63 on March 8, 1994.

Abby Martin (Maplewood, N.J. /Columbia) led MU with a career-high 25 points on 10-of-18 shooting and 11 rebounds. The sophomore logged her fifth double-double of the season and the ninth of her career in the win.

Sophomore Gabby Singer (Harrisburg, Pa. /Central Dauphin) buried a three-pointer to put the Hawks up 11-10 with 6:05 remaining in the first half. A slow offensive first half for both teams picked up in the final few minutes as the Hawks and Bobcats traded baskets. The first half ended when Singer canned her second trifecta of the first 20 minutes to give MU a 20-18 lead at intermission.

The Hawks, who were paced by Martin's nine first half points and six rebounds, shot 27.3% in the opening period. Brittany McQuain led the Bobcats, who shot 23.5% in the first half, with eight points.

MU outscored Quinnipiac 10-0 over the first six-plus minutes of the second half to take a 30-18 lead after a Martin hoop. The Hawks added to their lead, going up 43-27 after a three-pointer from Alexis Canady (Forestville, Md. /Bishop McNamara) with 7:42 left in the contest.

Erin Rooney (Christchurch, N.Z. /Marian College) contributed eight points, six assists and four rebounds in the game. Alysha Womack (Springfield, Pa. /Cardinal O'Hara) added seven points and six rebounds, while Canady chipped in with six points and six rebounds.