Monmouth Hawks (5-7, 1-0 MAAC) – 55
Iona Gaels (1-11, 0-1 MAAC) – 38
 
 
NEW ROCHELLE, NY  – Behind a strong second quarter and overall defensive effort, the Monmouth University women's basketball team earned a convincing win over Iona in the MAAC opener, 55-38. The Hawks went on a 15-0 run in the second frame and eventually outscored the Gaels 22-7. Senior McKinzee Barker scored 16 points (3-5 3FG) in the win, just one point shy of her career high that she set on the same court last season. Freshman Lucy Thomas scored in double figures for the third straight game, adding 14 points (5-6 FG) and five rebounds. The Hawks held their opponent to just 38 points, which is a season-low. Junior Rosa Graham, who registered a career-high six steals, led the defensive showing. Monmouth improves to 5-7 on the season, and wins its conference opener for the first time since 2010-11.
 
 
NOTES AND QUOTES
"We didn't do anything differently in the second quarter, we were just more efficient. We had some turnovers in the first quarter and just seemed a little jittery with it being the first league game. I liked that we were aggressive on the defensive end, and were hitting the glass on both ends of the floor. Over the break, we focused on having a more aggressive and gritty approach. We wanted to be tougher and have a team mentality, and I think we definitely demonstrated that tonight." - Monmouth head coach Jody Craig
 
-Junior Emani Clough found junior Alexa Middleton down low for a nice assist, then hit a deep triple to give Monmouth a 9-2 lead in the first quarter.
-Iona ended the first with a 9-0 run, and took an 11-9 lead in the second quarter.
-A 6-0 Monmouth run forced Iona to call a timeout with 7:33 left in the second quarter, as the Hawks took a 15-11 lead.
-Monmouth took control in the second quarter, using a 15-0 run and a 22-7 advantage in the frame to go ahead 31-18 at halftime.
-After an even third quarter, Monmouth ended the frame with a 6-0 run in the last minute. Freshman Lucy Thomas scored five, including a three-point play on a tough layup. The Hawks led 44-28 heading into the final frame.
-The Hawks led by as many as 24 points with 3:22 left in the fourth quarter, and finished strong to take the victory.
 
 
NUMBERS CRUNCH
-Monmouth's 15-point advantage in the second was its largest of any quarter this season. They had a 14-point advantage in the second against Albany earlier this season.
-The win marks Monmouth's first conference-opener road win since 2006-07.
-Green scored in double figures for the 10^th time this season, scoring 10 points. She leads the team with 15.6 points per game and 44 three-pointers.
-Nason made her first start of the season, and 35^th of her career.
-Before tonight, the lowest point total by a Monmouth opponent was 50 (at Sacred Heart).
-Middleton secured a team-high nine rebounds.
-The Hawks had an 18-6 advantage in points off turnovers.
 
 
UP NEXT
The Hawks will return to action on Thursday, January 10 when they host Rider at 11:30 AM. Monmouth holds a 29-16 all-time series lead over the Broncs, including a 63-56 win last year in West Long Branch.