FINAL SCORE
Monmouth 55 (9-10, 4-4 CAA)
UNCW 52 (4-14, 1-6 CAA))

WILMINGTON, NC – Ariana Vanderhoop scored 17 of her career-high 24 points in the second half to lead the Monmouth University women's basketball team to a 55-52 comeback win over UNCW on Sunday afternoon in Colonial Athletic Association (CAA) action. 
 
In addition to Vanderhoop's 24 points, she also contributed eight rebounds and two steals. Belle Kranbuhl chipped in 10 points and six rebounds while Ella Farrelly came off the bench to grab seven rebounds and block two shots. Carrie Gross led UNCW with 25 points while Jayde Gamble added 12 points. 
 
The Hawks jumped out to an early 9-4 advantage in the first quarter as Amiya Carroll connected on a pair of free throws at 6:05. The visitors extended that advantage to 17-11 on a Jania Hall bucket with 2:09 on the clock. Monmouth eventually took a 20-13 lead after one period of play. UNCW had the hot hand in the second quarter as the Seahawks outscored Monmouth 13-3 in the period and took a 26-23 edge at the half. Gamble had four points in that period for the home team.
 
Monmouth struck first in the third as Kaci Donovan connected on an early three-pointer. UNCW responded by scoring six of the next eight points and grabbed a 32-28 lead with 5:13 on the clock. Kranbuhl answered with a pair of free throws but Gross scored the final bucket of the quarter and UNCW took a 34-30 lead with 10 minutes to play. 
 
The Hawks opened the fourth quarter on an 11-2 run and grabbed a 41-37 lead. Vanderhoop scored eight in that stretch. The two teams went back-and-forth as a Kranbuhl lay-up at 1:51 put MU on top, 49-44. It was the Hawks' largest lead of the game. UNCW cut is deficit to one, 49-48 with 47 seconds showing on the clock. Monmouth responded by scoring six of the final 10 points in the game, including five from Vanderhoop to secure the win.

NOTES & QUOTES
"This was a huge road win! We battled through a lot of adversity and stayed connected to put ourselves in position for a strong finish. We had a lot of players step up today and I'm excited to seize the momentum and continue to grow in our confidence."
- Head Coach Ginny Boggess

- Monmouth snapped a three-game losing streak with the victory.  
- The Hawks shot 42.3% from the field in the second half and were 6-for-7 from the foul line in their comeback.
- There were four ties and four lead changes in the game. 
- Monmouth won the rebounding battle, 38-30. 
- Vanderhoop's 20+ point performance was the seventh by a Hawk this season.

 NUMBERS CRUNCH
- Vanderhoop's 24 points allowed her to reestablish her career-high for the second time this season. She has now scored in double figures in four straight games and eight times this season. 
- Kranbuhl scored in double figures for the fourth time this season. 
- Monmouth racked up 14 assists on 20 made baskets in the game. Jania Hall had a team-high three assists in the contest. 
- Ella Farrelly led the Hawks with two blocks, it was the second time this season she has posted multiple blocks in a game. 
- Kranbuhl recorded a block for the 17th straight game.

NEXT UP
Monmouth is back on the court on Friday, Jan. 27 when it hosts Hampton for a 7 p.m. game in the OceanFirst Bank Center.