Monmouth Hawks (4-5, 0-2) – 72

Fairleigh Dickinson Knights (2-7, 0-0) – 63

WEST LONG BRANCH, NJ – Led by freshman Kayla Shaw's 13 points, the Monmouth University women's basketball team defeated former NEC rival Fairleigh Dickinson in the second home game of the season by a score of 72-63. The Hawks forced 31 turnovers and totaled 20 steals on the afternoon, while five players scored at least eight points as the team improved to a 4-5 record. Freshman Alexa Middleton narrowly missed a double-double, scoring nine points with a season-high 11 rebounds. Monmouth will look for its third win in five days when it travels to Eastern Michigan for a 7:00 PM tip on Monday.

NOTES AND QUOTES

"I thought we did a lot better on the defensive end in the second half. It's a challenge for us and it's been something we've worked on, being able to string together ten solid minutes of defense in each quarter, and I thought we came a little bit closer to that in the third and fourth quarters. We have to win games at home and take advantage of the home court. A lot of our younger kids got a lot of playing time today, so there's a lot to learn from in this one." – Monmouth head coach Jenny Palmateer

"My shot wasn't falling tonight but it was nice to be able to score in other ways. I made more two point shots and got to the free throw line. This game was huge because it was only our second game at home. It's good to get on a winning streak, and we're excited for the rest of the season." – Freshman guard Kayla Shaw

-The Hawks held FDU to just six points in the first quarter and Shaw ended the quarter with a buzzer-beating layup. Monmouth maintained a 36-30 into halftime.

-Tyese Purvis hit two threes in the first 12 minutes, extending her streak to nine games with at least one three-pointer.

-After Alaina Jarnot hit her second three of the game, Monmouth built its largest lead at 14-points by the end of the third quarter, leading FDU 57-43.

-Monmouth's bench outscored their opponent for the eighth time in nine games this season. The Hawks registered 38 bench points to FDU's 17.

-The Hawks had their best game of the season from the free throw line, making 19 out of 25 (76%). Their previous high was 16 free throws made in the first game of the season at Robert Morris, and have had single-digit free throws made in six out of nine games.

-Beginning with 3:33 left in the third quarter, Monmouth went on 7-0 run and extended its lead to 49-37. The Hawks maintained that lead for the rest of the game, eventually winning by nine.

NUMBERS CRUNCH

-Five Monmouth freshmen combined for 41 points, 26 rebounds, 11 assists, and nine steals.

-Kayla Shaw went into double-digits for the fifth time this season, which is tied for a team high with Tyese Purvis.

-Rosa Graham had four steals in a span of 6:28 in the first quarter.

-Alexa Middleton's 11 rebounds are a season high, and she is now averaging rebounds per game.

-Taylor Nason was all over the floor on Saturday afternoon, scoring six points while adding five rebounds, five assists, and three steals in the win.

-Alaina Jarnot played a career-high 32 minutes, scoring 12 points, grabbing four rebounds, and dishing three assists.

-Senior Christina Mitchell recorded nine points and a career-high five steals while shooting 4-5 from the free throw line.

-For the second time this season, Monmouth forced over 30 turnovers. The team forced 30 in a loss at St. Francis Brooklyn, and forced 31 today.

UP NEXT

Monmouth seeks its third win in five days when it travels to Eastern Michigan for a 7 PM tip on Monday. The Hawks will return home for four straight games after Monday, beginning with Providence on December 21.