Box Score WEST LONG BRANCH, N.J. – Helena Kurt (Spanga, Sweden/Igelstavikens Gymnasium) registered career highs of 23 points and nine assists to go along with six rebounds as the Monmouth University women's basketball team led wire-to-wire in an 84-67 win over Manhattan Thursday evening at the Multipurpose Activity Center. With the win, the Hawks improve to 12-16 (8-11 MAAC), while the Jaspers fall to 3-25 (2-17 MAAC).

Sarah Olson (Freehold, N.J./Howell [NJIT]) added 21 points on 7-of-12 shooting, including 6-of-10 from long range, while also grabbing five rebounds. It was the second time this season that the Hawks had two players score 20 or more points in a single game. Amanda Offenback (Delran, N.J./Holy Cross) chipped in with 12 points, four assists and four rebounds, while Jamiyah Bethune (Union, N.J./Union [Penn State]) gave the Hawks a fourth scorer in double figures with an even 10 points. Christina Mitchell (Baltimore, Md./MATHS) grabbed a game-high 10 rebounds, including four on the offensive glass.

Kayla Grimme led Manhattan with 19 points and seven rebounds off the bench. Nyasha Irizarry added 14 points, four assists and four rebounds, while Ashley Stec also chipped in with 10 points. Blake Underhill contributed eight points and five assists.

“I think Helena did a phenomenal job,” said Monmouth Head Coach Jenny Palmateer. “One, finding her own shots, but this was also the best game she's had using her dribble to create for others. I think that shows with the nine assists. She was able to balance that well today, which made her a double threat and really hard to guard. I thought our bigs gave us some great minutes and did a great job on the boards. In the second half, I thought our post players really adjusted. Manhattan made their run. It was obvious they were going to drive it down our throats and they were going to get the ball inside. I thought our posts really adjusted well. They started getting a little more proactive, playing defense before the ball was caught. I think that made all the difference in the world. It took away some easy looks for them and really made them get deep in the shot clock and take some shots that they maybe didn't want.”  

Monmouth's first six made field goals came from long range on nine attempts as the Hawks built a 20-11 lead. Olson hit three of her first five from long range, while Kurt made 2-of-3 and Offenback knocked down her only attempt in the stretch. The Hawks maintained a lead of between four and 10 points for the remainder of the half, taking a 42-34 lead into the break. Monmouth made 9-of-19 (.474) three-point attempts in the first half.

Olson led the Hawks with 12 points, including 3-of-6 shooting from long range, in the first half. Kurt added 11 points, including 3-of-5 shooting from long range. Offenback also scored in double figures with 10 points at the half, while also grabbing four rebounds and dishing out four assists. Mitchell led all rebounders with six caroms at the break. Irizarry led Manhattan with 11 points at the half, including 3-of-6 shooting from long range. Grimme also added 10 points before the halftime horn.

“It was really nice to see [three-pointers] fall early,” said Palmateer. “I continue to say it, but we are a team that, right now, seems to go as our shooting goes early in the first half. We're still working on being a team that can withstand not scoring right away and getting stops. Today, we were really fortunate that our shots were falling and it set the tone.”

Manhattan cut the Hawks' lead to three, 44-41, on a Grimme free throw with 17:39 left in regulation. But the Jaspers would draw no closer. The Hawks methodically added to its lead until it reached 19, 84-65, on Kurt's lay-up with 32 seconds remaining. Kurt dished out seven of her nine assists in the second half.

For the game, Monmouth outshot Manhattan, 45.5 percent (30-66) to 43.9 percent (25-57) from the floor, 44.8 percent (13-29) to 29.4 percent (5-17) from long range and 73.3 percent (11-15) to 70.6 percent (12-17) from the free-throw line. The Hawks owned the glass to the tune of a 46-27 advantage, including a 17-6 edge on the offensive boards.

The Hawks wrap up the regular season Sunday, when they play host to MAAC-leading Quinnipiac. Tip-off is scheduled for 2 p.m. at the Multipurpose Activity Center on ESPN3.