FINAL SCORE
Monmouth 69 (10-10, 5-4 CAA)
Hampton 56 (6-12, 3-5 CAA))

WEST LONG BRANCH, NJ – A strong second half effort allowed the Monmouth University women's basketball team to break open a two-point game and claim a 69-56 win over Hampton University in Colonial Athletic Association (CAA) action on Friday night. The Hawks outscored the Lady Pirates, 35-24 in the second stanza en route to their second straight victory. 
 
Lucy Thomas had a team-high 12 points for Monmouth while Ariana Vanderhoop posted her second double-double in the last three games with 11 points and 10 rebounds. Jania Hall tossed in a season-high 10 points while Belle Kranbuhl had a game-high 11 rebounds. Nylah Young and Camryn Hill had 16 points apiece for Hampton. 
 
The Hawks sprinted out to a 7-2 lead in the first as Kaci Donovan went 5-for-6 from the free throw line in the first two plus minutes of the period. Monmouth pushed its lead to 14-6 on a Vanderhoop fast break bucket at 5:13. The two teams traded baskets as Thomas had a three-point play in the final three seconds to give the Hawks a 19-14 lead after one. The second quarter was a back-and-forth battled as the Hawks' advantage fluctuated between seven and two points throughout the 10-minute stretch. A pair of late three-pointers from Hill sent Hampton into the break trailing by just two, 34-32.
 
Monmouth came out of the half with the hot hand as the Hawks scored eight of the first 10 points and took a 42-34 lead with 6:40 on the clock. Kranbuhl had four points in that stretch. Hampton responded with an 8-2 run of its own and cut the Monmouth lead to 44-42 with 2:29 to go in the stanza. Jen Louro sandwiched a pair of three-pointers around taking a charge on the other end. That sequence that took just over a minute pushed the Monmouth advantage back to eight, 50-42. The Hawks eventually took a 52-44 lead after three periods of play. The Hawks outscored Hampton 17-12 in the fourth quarter and secured the 69-56 win. 

NOTES & QUOTES
"I was thrilled to see a monster crowd for MSAAC Pride night. I love how our community and student-athletes support one another and embody inclusivity. This was a great defensive effort and I'm really proud of everyone stepping up and playing their role."
- Head Coach Ginny Boggess

- Monmouth dominated the rebounding battle, 47-27 on Friday night. Nine of the ten Hawks who played in the game grabbed at least one rebound. It was the largest advantage in the rebounding battle by Monmouth this season. 
- The Hawks handed out 15 assists on 21 made baskets against Hampton. It was the ninth time this season the Hawks have dished out at least 15 helpers in a game. 
- MU was an impressive 20-for-27 from the foul line in the game. It was a season-high for free throws made in a game for the Hawks. It was the most free throws made by a Monmouth squad since the 2019-20 season.
- Monmouth scored 22 points off 12 Hampton turnovers. 
- The Hawks blocked four shots and improved to 9-5 on the year when they block at least four shots in a game.

 NUMBERS CRUNCH
- Ariana Vanderhoop recorded her second double-double in the last three games and third of her career. She has scored in double figures in five straight games. 
- Lucy Thomas had 12 points and scored in double figures for the second straight game. 
- Ariana Vanderhoop and Bri Tinsley each had five assists in the game. 
- Jania Hall's 10 points were a season-high for the junior. 
- Belle Kranbuhl reached double figures in rebounding for the fifth time this season.

NEXT UP
Monmouth is back on the court on Sunday, Jan. 29 when it travels to Northeastern for a 1:30 pm contest. The Hawks defeated Northeastern, 54-49 to open CAA play at the end of December.