Monmouth Hawks (2-10, 0-1 MAAC) – 46
Marist Red Foxes (6-8, 2-0 MAAC) – 69
POUGHKEEPSIE, NY – Holding the Hawks to just 7-of-33 in the second half, Marist held off the Monmouth University women's basketball team in its MAAC opener on Saturday night, 69-46. The Red Foxes outscored Monmouth in all four quarters, including a 12-5 margin in the fourth. Sophomore
Rosa Graham scored a season-high 13 points in the loss, including eight in the third quarter. Senior
Rhaiah Spooner-Knight added 11 points in the loss, while sophomore
Alexa Middleton nearly earned a double-double with nine points and eight rebounds. The Hawks dropped to 2-10 (0-1 MAAC) on the season, and will travel to Fairfield on January 5 for an 11:00 AM conference matchup.
NOTES AND QUOTES
"We're encouraged by the things we see one the defensive end of the floor, but we have to get more shots on offense and have a more aggressive mindset when it comes to scoring." -
Monmouth head coach Jody Craig
-Despite Marist taking an 11-point lead in the first quarter, the Hawks cut it to 17-11 by the end of the frame.
-The teams went back and forth in the second quarter, but Monmouth did not score over the final two minutes and the Red Foxes eventually outscored the Hawks 20-15 to take a 37-26 lead into halftime.
-Marist outscored the Hawks 20-15 once again in the third quarter, and took a 57-41 lead into the final frame.
-After the strong shooting performance in the first half (52%), the Hawks shot just 21% in the second half. With just five Monmouth points in the fourth frame, Marist earned the 23-point victory.
NUMBERS CRUNCH
-Coming into the game shooting 36% from the field, Monmouth shot 12-23 (52%) in the first half.
-Graham scored in double-figures for the third time this season and 10
th time of her career.
-Spooner-Knight scored in double-figures for the 7
th time in 12 games.
-Junior
Erica Balman matched her career high of 10 rebounds for the fourth time this season.
-Marist's Alana Gilmer scored a game-high 27 points on 11-18 from the floor.
-Monmouth was just 3-16 from beyond the arc.
-The Hawks earned a 26-8 advantage in bench points.
-The Hawks have committed more turnovers than their opponent in all 12 games this season.
UP NEXT
The Hawks will continue MAAC play at Fairfield on January 5. Tipoff from Fairfield, Connecticut is set for 11:00 AM. Last season, the teams split as the Stags squeaked out a three-point win in West Long Branch and the Hawks earned the 60-53 overtime win on the road.
