Canisius Golden Griffins (2-9, 1-1 MAAC) – 71
Monmouth Hawks (4-8, 1-2 MAAC) – 62
 
WEST LONG BRANCH, NJ – An 8-0 run to end the game propelled Canisius over the Monmouth University women's basketball team on Saturday, 71-62.
 
Senior Rosa Graham (Rochester, NY/Bishop Kearney) hit a three-pointer to cut the deficit to one with 3:40 left, but the Golden Griffins answered with a layup, a triple, and three free throws while forcing Monmouth to miss its last ten shots.   
 
Senior Alexa Middleton (Philadelphia, PA/Abington Friends) led the Hawks with 18 points and 14 rebounds, registering her third double-double of the season.
 
Sophomore Lucy Thomas (Ocean, NJ/St. Rose) added 15 points and 11 rebounds for her second double-double of the season.
 
Senior Sierra Green (Queens, NY/Francis Lewis/Monroe CC) scored 15 points in the loss, making four three-pointers.
 
Monmouth drops to 4-8 (1-2 MAAC) on the season, and will continue MAAC play at Fairfield on Thursday.
 
NOTES AND QUOTES
 
"We got outhustled. The bottom line is you have to want it more than the other team. Canisius won all the hustle points down the stretch, and demonstrated more resilience and a better understanding of what to do to close out." - Monmouth head coach Jody Craig
 
-Canisius used a 7-0 run early in the first quarter to go ahead 9-5, but Monmouth got a jumper from Thomas to get back within two.
-A layup from Middleton and a running floater from sophomore Allure Simmons to close the first quarter tied the game at 14-14.
-The Hawks hit three triples in the first two minutes of the second quarter, including one from Thomas and two from Green. Monmouth took a 23-15 lead.
-After Monmouth led by as many as eight, Canisius battled back, scored the last four points of the half and trailed 34-33 at the break.  
-A back-and-forth third quarter was highlighted by six points and five rebounds from Middleton. The Golden Griffins ended the frame on a 7-0 run, and led 52-49 heading into the fourth.
-Canisius scored the first five points of the final quarter, forcing Monmouth to call a timeout down 57-49.
-After the timeout, Monmouth answered with a 6-0 run to get within two. Middleton, Jennings, and Green each connected on layups.
-Graham buried a corner three from Green to cut the deficit to one with 3:40 remaining. Canisius answered with an 8-0 run to seal the win.
 
NUMBERS CRUNCH
-Monmouth led for 17:50. Canisius led for 17:42.
-Middleton is averaging 17.0 points and 10.0 rebounds in conference play so far. She moved up to 8^th all-time with 734 career rebounds. Middleton is the only Monmouth player to start all 12 games so far.
-In three conference games, Thomas is averaging 14.3 points and 11.3 rebounds.
-For the second time this season, Middleton and Thomas registered double-doubles in the same game. Both came in conference play.
-Graham's 235 career assists move her up to t-16^th all-time.
-With another four tonight, Green now has 129 three-pointers in 43 career games at Monmouth (3.0 per game). She ranks 11^th all-time, needing just eight more to move into 8^th.
-Senior Akilah Jennings dished a season-high six assists.
-Monmouth had just two turnovers in the first half, and eight in the game.  
-The Hawks went 6-31 from long range.
 
UP NEXT
Monmouth will travel to Fairfield on Thursday for an 11 AM tip. The Stags have a 10-7 all-time series lead, but the Hawks earned two wins last season.