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Monmouth University Athletics

Sandrine Clesca dribbles and watches the play develop
Troy Fenton Jr.
Sandrine Clesca and the Hawks host Sacred Heart Wednesday night.

MONMOUTH PLAYS HOST TO SACRED HEART ON WEDNESDAY

November 14, 2023

2023-24 Monmouth Women's Basketball Game Three Preview
                                                                                       
Monmouth Hawks (1-1) vs. Sacred Heart (1-1)
Wednesday, Nov. 15, 2023 - 7:00 p.m.  
OceanFirst Bank Arena - West Long Branch, NJ

Watch
FloSports
Greg Mescall (Play-by-Play)
Dei Lynam (Color)

OPENING TIP
• Monmouth plays the middle game of a three-game stretch as it hosts Sacred Heart for a midweek contest.
• This will be the 35th meeting all-time between the two schools. Sacred Heart leads the all-time series, 19-15, however the Hawks have won four of the last five.
• MU is coming off a thrilling comeback win over St. John's on Friday night. The Hawks trailed by 14 in the second half but rallied for their first ever win over the Big East foe.
• Monmouth had five players score in double figures in the win over St. John's. It's the first time the Hawks have had five players score in double figures under head coach Ginny Boggess.
• MU enters play this week ranked fourth in the nation, while averaging 8.5 blocks per game.
• The Hawks have been taking advantage of their opportunities at the foul line. Monmouth has made at least 10 free throws in seven straight games.
• MU is coming off a 2022-23 season in which it won 18 games, captured the CAA Championship and advanced to the NCAA Tournament for the first time in 40 years.
• The Hawks are returning three starters and seven players total that secured valuable experience last year.
• Coach Boggess and the Hawks welcome in eight newcomers, including three transfers for this year.
• Five Hawks played in Canada before joining the Monmouth family - Ella Farrelly, Taisha Exanor, Sandrine Clesca, Rosalie Mercille and Divine Dibula.
• Monmouth closes out its current homestand when it hosts UMass on Sunday, Nov. 19. 
 

DON'T COUNT US OUT
Monmouth staged a furious fourth quarter rally to defeat St. John's on Friday night. The Hawks trailed the Red Storm by 14 points in the third quarter and by 12 with 8:28 to go in the fourth. Monmouth closed the game on a 17-1 run to claim the victory. 

It was the largest comeback victory for the Hawks under head coach Ginny Boggess. It was the fifth time under Boggess that the Hawks have rallied from at least 10 points to win a game. It was the second time under Boggess that Monmouth has rallied from at least a 10 point deficit in the second half for the win.

SEEING DOUBLE
Monmouth had five players score in double figures in the victory over St. John's. It was the first time the Hawks have had five players score in double figures under head coach Ginny Boggess. Lastw year, the Hawks went 4-1 when four players scored in double figures in the same game. Jaye Haynes led the Hawks with 15 points while Taisha Exanor and Kaci Donovan each added 14 points. Ariana Vanderhoop chipped in 11 points while Jania Hall contributed 10 points. 

It was the 15th time in her career that Haynes hit for double digits while Exanor hit the mark for the seventh time in her career. Donovan hit the double-digit mark for the 25th time in her career while Vanderhoop's was her second of the season and 31st of her career. Hall reached double figures for the 16th time in her career. 

NOT IN MY HOUSE
The Hawks have made their presence felt around the basket through the first two games of the season. Monmouth enters play this week ranked fourth nationally in blocks per game (8.5).

Leading that charge has been Belle Kranbuhl and Taisha Exanor, who each have seven blocks through the first two games of the year. The pair are currently tied for seventh in the nation while averaging 3.5 blocks per game. Kranbuhl has four and three blocks respectively in the first two games. Exanor had two blocks in the opener and added five blocks, including four in the decisive fourth quarter against St. John's.

WE'LL TAKE THE CHARITY
Monmouth continues to take advantage of its chances from the foul line. The Hawks hit 13 shots from the charity stripe against St. John's. Five Hawks hit at least two shots from the foul line in that game, that group was led by Ariana Vanderhoop, Taisha Exanor and Jaye Haynes, who all hit three. Monmouth has now made at least 10 free throws in a game in seven straight contests dating back to the end of last season. 

SWEET 70
The Hawks scored a season-high 74 points in Friday's win over St John's. Last year the Hawks went 9-1 when they scored 70 or more points in a game. Under head coach Ginny Boggess, the Hawks are an impressive 12-2 when they score 70 or more points in a game. 

NIFTY 50
Monmouth had a solid shooting night against St. John's as the Hawks finished the game shooting 50% from the field. That included a big fourth quarter in which, the Hawks shot 61.5% from the field. Monmouth went 5-1 last year when it shot 50% or better from the field in a game.

SCOUTING THE PIONEERS
The Pioneers sit at 1-1 on the year and are coming off a 63-55 win over Morgan State last time out. Sajada Bonner and Ny'Ceara Pryor are both averaging 12 points per game for the Pioneers. 

UP NEXT
Monmouth closes out this homestand when it hosts UMass on Sunday, Nov. 19 at 2 p.m.

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