WEST LONG BRANCH, NJ- Monmouth University (1-1) Head Women's Basketball Coach Ginny Boggess recorded her first victory by way of a 57-46 victory over Navy (0-2) at home on Friday night.
 
The Hawks sprinted out to a 20-14 lead after the first quarter and rode a stifling defensive effort to an 11-point win at the Ocean First Bank Center. Monmouth had 10 steals and scored 22 points off turnovers while registering six blocks. MU also forced the Mids into six offensive turnovers, including a pair of shot clock violations.
 
Monmouth really opened up their lead for the first time with 3:24 left in the opening quarter after back to back three's by Kaci Donovan and Jania Hall were followed up by a fast break layup that prompted a Navy timeout as the deficit sat at 17-10.  Navy scored just six points in the second quarter as the Monmouth lead ballooned to 32-20 at the break. The Mids outscored Monmouth 26-25 in the second half but the Hawk defensive effort never relented and Navy could never cut the lead to single digits.
 
Graduate guard Stella Clark nearly missed a double-double with 10 points and nine rebounds while Hall poured in 10 points as well. Navy was led by Jennifer Coleman who led all scorers with 22 points.
 
QUOTES AND NOTES
"It feels fantastic but this is not about me, it is about our players and the team. It's about them choosing to stay. It's about them loving Monmouth and loving each other. This is just the beginning we have a lot of potential in the locker room and I am really excited for our future." Monmouth Head Coach Ginny Boggess
 
"It meant a lot, we were all in this together. We preach toughness and discipline. We knew we had to come out here and play like that for coach. She coaches us great, she keeps positive, she's high energy and she's patient. We wanted to do everything for each other and for Coach." Sophomore guard Jania Hall
 
"The team bought into the game plan. They had two prolific scorers, really, really good guards. Coleman can be the player of the year in the Patriot League this year, she's very talented. We really challenged them at halftime to make sure stay true to the game plan. All five players were guarding the ball and I thought we did a great job of that tonight." Boggess on the defensive effort
 

• It was the first time the Hawks won a home opener since the 2017-18 season when Monmouth defeated Sacred Heart 69-64
• The Hawks scored 22 points off turnovers compared to just eight for Navy
• Monmouth had 14 second chance points and tallied 22 bench points
• MU enjoyed a 13-0 scoring run in the second quarter as their lead expanded to a game-high 18 points
• Navy scored 12 of their 14 first quarter points in the paint

 
NUMBERS CRUNCH

• Monmouth held the lead for 35:27
• The Hawks hit a season-high seven three pointers
• MU was 16-of-20 from the charity stripe
• Navy held a 46-41 advantage on the boards

 
UP NEXT
Monmouth will face St. Joe's at home on Wednesday, November 17. Tipoff from the Ocean First Bank Center is slated 7:00 PM.