(OT)
Manhattan Jaspers (3-6, 0-1 MAAC) – 60
Monmouth Hawks (3-5, 1-0 MAAC) – 62
 
 
WEST LONG BRANCH, NJ – Sophomore Lucy Thomas (Ocean, NJ/St. Rose) hit the game-winning shot with 4.2 seconds left in overtime, and the Monmouth University women's basketball team earned a win over Manhattan in the MAAC opener, 62-60.
 
The local product took the inbounds pass from senior Akilah Jennings, turned, and hit a bank shot just inside the free throw line. Thomas ended with a career-high 22 points (8-11 FG) and registered her fifth career double-double with a career-high 13 rebounds.
 
With 9:33 still left in the third quarter, senior Alexa Middleton (Philadelphia, PA/Abington Friends) registered her 12^th career double-double. She ended with 16 points and 15 rebounds on the night.
 
Senior Sierra Green (Queens, NY/Francis Lewis/Monroe CC) also went into double-figures, adding 17 points in the win.
 
Monmouth improves to 3-5 (1-0 MAAC) on the season, and will continue non-conference play at Loyola Maryland on Friday.
 
NOTES AND QUOTES
 
"This was a real gut check. We've come a long way in the last few weeks. I'm not sure if we win this game a few weeks ago. We had to dig real deep, and it was great to see us do it on the defensive end. We also got some key offensive rebounds that allowed us to have some second chance opportunities." - Monmouth head coach Jody Craig
 
"I couldn't be more happy for Lucy. She got hurt in September and it was a trial for her to come back after she worked so hard in the summer. She's had more pep in her step in the last week, and I was waiting for this day." – Craig on Lucy Thomas
 
"It was a long game, but we just had to stick together. We got through some tough moments in the fourth quarter and got the win." – Lucy Thomas
 
-Monmouth made four of its first six shots, taking an early 9-2 lead. Thomas had five points, while Middleton had four.
-The Jaspers answered with an 8-3 run, cutting the deficit to two midway through the first quarter.
-After two Thomas free throws and back-to-back baskets from Green, Manhattan scored four quick points including a fast break layup. At the end of one, Monmouth led 18-14.
-A 6-2 Manhattan run to open the second quarter tied the game at 20-20.
-Monmouth made five straight shots and used a 7-0 run to go ahead 36-25. Two late free throws from Manhattan made it a nine-point game at the half.
-The Hawks used a 7-0 run to begin the third quarter, taking a 43-27 lead and forcing the Jaspers to call a timeout.
-After Monmouth built its largest lead of 18, Manhattan answered with an 11-2 run. By the end of the third quarter, the Hawks led 50-40.
-The Jaspers outscored the Hawks 15-5 in the fourth quarter, including a Courtney Warley layup with 10 seconds left to send it to overtime.
-In the extra frame, Thomas hit two free throws after the teams traded layups. The Jaspers then hit a three-pointer with 2:44 left to take a one-point lead. With just over 2:20 remaining, Middleton hit one of two free throws to tie the game.
-A defensive battle, including two jump balls, left the game tied with 6.9 seconds left. Thomas took the inbound pass from Jennings, turned to her left, and dribbled inside the free throw line, where she connected on a jumper. The Hawks held strong on the final possession to seal the win.
 
NUMBERS CRUNCH
-Thomas set a new career-high with 22 points, registering a field goal percentage of 72.7%. Her previous career high was 21, set at Saint Peter's last season. Thomas also grabbed a career-best 13 rebounds. Her previous mark was 11, set twice last season. This was her first double-double of the season.
-Middleton registered her first double-double of the season with 16 points and 15 boards. The senior moved into 10^th place all-time with 695 career rebounds.
-Green now has 118 three-pointers in 39 career games at Monmouth. She has scored in double-figures 28 times in that span.
-Monmouth led for 40:00, while Manhattan led for just 00:36.
-The Hawks had a 19-9 advantage in offensive rebounds, including 10 on the offensive glass from Middleton.
-Seniors Rosa Graham and Taylor Nason each had three steals.
 
UP NEXT
Monmouth will head to Loyola Maryland on Friday for a 1:00 PM matchup. The Hawks have an 8-2 all-time series lead, but fell in West Long Branch last season, 75-67.