BROOKLYN HEIGHTS, NY – Three freshmen scored in double-figures, including a 19-point output from Rosa Graham, but the Monmouth University women's basketball team was outlasted by St. Francis Brooklyn, 87-78. Monmouth falls to 1-1 on the season after earning a 69-56 win over Robert Morris in the season opener. Graham has totaled 33 points in the first two games of her career, adding six assists and five steals against the Terriers on Wednesday. Monmouth ended the contest +16 in the turnover margin but shot just 7-19 (36.8%) from the free throw line.
NOTES AND QUOTES
“That was a really tough one for us today. We give a lot of credit to St. Francis Brooklyn, they played a great game. They shot the ball unbelievably well and thought for sure they couldn't keep that going for four quarters, but they did. They hit some really big shots. I thought we scored enough to win most games, but we're going to start to really get more solid on the defensive end, especially in the half court.” – Monmouth head coach Jenny Palmateer
-Monmouth took a 19-11 lead with 1:29 left in the first quarter, but St. Francis Brooklyn battled back while going on a 15-0 run. The Terriers went out in front 26-19 with 8:47 left in the second quarter, a lead they kept until the end of the third quarter.
-The Hawks mounted a comeback in the second and third quarters, taking a 59-58 advantage after an Alaina Jarnot three point shot. St. Francis Brooklyn answered with a three of their own and led the rest of the way.
-The Terriers secured their largest lead of the night with 1:29 remaining in regulation, hitting two free throws to go up 81-68. A Helena Kurt jumper and Kayla Shaw three cut the deficit to eight, but six made free throws in the last minute of the game sealed the win for St. Francis Brooklyn.
-Monmouth won the turnover battle 30-14 and had 16 steals to the Terriers' two, but St. Francis Brooklyn made 25 of 35 free throws (71.4%), including key ones down the stretch.
NUMBERS CRUNCH
-Four days into her Monmouth career, freshman Rosa Graham is averaging 16.5 points per game with six assists, and six steals, shooting 50% from the field and 50% from the line in two games.
-Senior Tyese Purvis scored in double-figures for the second straight game, scoring 14 before fouling out with 0.33 seconds left.
-Freshman Kayla Shaw drilled three triples on the night, ending with 14 points on 5-10 shooting.
-Junior Helena Kurt once again filled the stat sheet, ending with nine points, six assists, six steals, and two rebounds in the loss.
-Freshman Alaina Jarnot went into double-figures in just her second career game, scoring 10 points in her second straight start for the Hawks. Jarnot added two rebounds and an assist in 20 minutes played.
-Freshman Alexa Middleton secured six rebounds for the second consecutive game and added three blocks to the stat sheet.
-Junior Dana Carbone made her debut on Wednesday night, contributing six points on two three-pointers.
UP NEXT
Monmouth will welcome ACC opponent Clemson to the OceanFirst Bank Center on Saturday, which will mark the first ever meeting between the two teams. Tipoff for the 2016-17 home opener is scheduled for 1:00 PM and the game will be broadcast on ESPN3.
