La Salle Explorers (1-1, 0-0 A-10) – 64
Monmouth Hawks (0-2, 0-0 MAAC) - 46
 
WEST LONG BRANCH, NJ- A strong third quarter propelled La Salle over the Monmouth University women's basketball team on Wednesday, 64-46. The Explorers drilled six three-pointers in the frame and outscored the Hawks 27-11 to pull away.
 
Junior forward Lucy Thomas (Ocean, NJ/St. Rose) led Monmouth with 11 points and eight rebounds, going into double figures for the 27^th time in her career.
 
Redshirt junior Jen Louro (Wall, NJ/St. Rose) added eight points in the loss, hitting four field goals.
 
Freshmen combined for 22 points for the Hawks, including eight from Sakeria Haralson (Bellwood, PA/Bellwood-Antis), six from Ariana Vanderhoop (Boston, MA/Cathedral), and six from Gabrielle Wener (Oakland, ME/Messalonskee).
 
Monmouth falls to 0-2 on the season, and will remain home to face Drexel this Saturday.
 
NOTES AND QUOTES
 
"It was a disappointing showing tonight. Our tunnel vision on offense is killing us because of all of the turnovers. Until we get that under control, we will not be a competitive team. Our lack of experience contributes to the problem, but it cannot be an excuse. We just have to be better." – Monmouth head coach Jody Craig
 
-Monmouth had a strong defensive showing early, holding La Salle to 1-9 from the floor and 0-8 from deep.
-The Hawks built an 8-2 lead after a Wener triple, but the Explorers answered with a 6-0 run to tie it up. The teams traded buckets and were tied at 10 after the first quarter.
-La Salle used a 7-0 run in the second quarter to go ahead 20-12, as the Hawks missed eight straight field goals.
-Thomas hit two free throws and a pull-up jumper to cut the deficit to four later in the second quarter.
-La Salle connected on a layup and a free throw to close the second frame, taking a 25-18 lead into halftime.
-The Explorers made 8-of-10 shots during a third quarter run, including five from beyond the arc to build a 48-27 lead.
-La Salle eventually outscored Monmouth 27-11 in the third quarter, taking a 52-29 advantage into the fourth.
-Monmouth outscored the opponent 17-12 in the final frame, but La Salle hung on for the 64-46 victory.
 
NUMBERS CRUNCH
-Monmouth is now 17-22 all-time in home openers.
-Thomas has scored in double-figures in 27 of 58 career games.
-Haralson's eight points included 4-of-5 from the floor and six rebounds.
-Vanderhoop totaled six points, four rebounds, and three assists.
-Wener now has four three-pointers made in her first two career games.
-Sophomore Destiny Jackson dished three assists.
-Senior Fatou Ndao registered two points and three rebounds off the bench.
-The Hawks turned the ball over 31 times compared to La Salle's 16.
-Monmouth won the rebounding battle, 43-39.
 
UP NEXT
The Hawks will host Drexel this Saturday, December 5 at 2:00 PM. The Dragons hold a 4-0 all-time series lead, with the last win coming on December 16, 2007.