Monmouth University Athletics

Sacred Heart Pioneers (0-1) - 64
Monmouth Hawks (1-0) - 69
 
WEST LONG BRANCH, NJ – A 93% free throw percentage, including 11-12 in the fourth quarter, propelled the Monmouth University women's basketball team to a season-opening win over Sacred Heart on Friday night, 69-64. Preseason All-MAAC Third Team selection Kayla Shaw led the team with 22 points, including four three-pointers. In her Monmouth debut, senior Rhaiah Spooner-Knight poured in 11 points. Sophomore Alaina Jarnot scored eight points to go along with a career-high six rebounds. Jarnot also led the team with three assists. Sophomore forward Alexa Middleton added seven points and eight rebounds on the night.
 
NOTES AND QUOTES
"Sacred Heart hit some huge shots, but I was really proud of our team. We were able to switch defenses a little bit, and I think that made a big difference. It's awesome to be at home, and anytime you can get a win at home, it's almost a must. I'm really happy for our kids, and I couldn't think of a better way to start the season." – Monmouth head coach Jenny Palmateer
"I was so excited for this season, so this feels really good. As a team, we played well through adversity today. It was a great first game of learning and adjusting." -Sophomore guard Kayla Shaw
-At the end of the first quarter, the Hawks trailed 18-14. Shaw and Graham had five points each on a three-pointer and layup.
-Monmouth rattled off an 8-0 run in the beginning of the second quarter and took a 22-19 lead, forcing Sacred Heart to call a timeout.
-The teams went into the locker room with the Pioneers holding the slight 29-26 advantage.
-Late in the third quarter, Shaw hit her third triple to put Monmouth ahead 42-40. The game would be locked at 42 heading into the final frame.
-With the game locked at 50, Spooner-Knight drilled a three pointer to once again put the Hawks ahead by three.
-Clutch free throws down the stretch would seal the win for Monmouth, who shot 13-14 from the stripe.

NUMBERS CRUNCH
-Shaw scored in double-figures for the 20^th time in her career, and was just two points shy of her career-high.
-Monmouth shot 60.7% from the free throw line last season, and shot 93% today.
-The Hawks outscored Sacred Heart 55-46 in the last three quarters.
-Freshman Selina Dockery scored her first career points.
-Monmouth continued a trend from last season, when they won the bench points battle in 29 out of 31 games. The Hawks had the 18-4 bench advantage today.
-The Blue & White built their largest lead of the game at 8 with 33 seconds left in the game.

UP NEXT
The Hawks will remain home for the next two games, beginning with Lehigh on Tuesday. Last season, Monmouth defeated the Mountain Hawks 73-62 behind 17 points from Kayla Shaw and 16 points from Kayla Quintana.