2023-24 Monmouth Women's Basketball Game Seven Preview
                                                                                       
Monmouth Hawks (2-4) at Rider (2-4)
Saturday, Dec. 2, 2023 - 2:00 p.m.  
Alumni Gymnasium - Lawrenceville, N.J.

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OPENING TIP
• Monmouth kicks off a three-game road swing as it visits Rider Saturday.
• It will be the second shortest road trip of the season for the Hawks as they face their second in-state rival (Rutgers-36 miles, Rider-46 miles).
• The match-up with Rider reunites a pair of former conference foes as both the Hawks and the Broncs were members of the MAAC from the 2013-14 season until 2021-22.
• MU leads the all-time series with Rider, 30-24. The two sides split their last two meetings during the 2021-22 season with each team winning on its home floor.
• Monmouth has 43 blocks through six games this season. As of Wednesday, the Hawks ranked sixth in the nation for blocks per game (7.2).
• Monmouth has scored 70 or more points twice this season and won both of those games. Dating back to last season, the Hawks are 11-1 when they score 70 or more points in a game.
• The Hawks hit a season-high eight three-points against Brown. Kaci Donovan led the way with four triples in the contest.
• Kaci Donovan has scored in double figures in four of the first six games for the Hawks.
• Donovan needs to hit four more three-pointers to reach 100 for her Monmouth career. She would become the 15th player in program history to hit 100 or more three-pointers as a Hawk.  
• Five Hawks played in Canada before joining the Monmouth family - Ella Farrelly, Taisha Exanor, Sandrine Clesca, Rosalie Mercille and Divine Dibula. 
 

IT'S AN IN-STATE BATTLE
The Hawks are facing their second of three in-state opponents (lost to Rutgers, at Rider, vs. Georgian Court). Monmouth has previously faced eight opponents from the state of New Jersey. The Hawks have found the most success against FDU (46 wins), Rider (30 wins) and St. Peter's (29 wins).

NOT IN MY HOUSE
The Hawks have made their presence felt around the basket through six games of the season. Monmouth ranked sixth nationally in blocks per game (7.2) through Wednesday's action.

Leading that charge has been Belle Kranbuhl and Taisha Exanor, who have 18 and 12 blocks respectively through six games. Kranbuhl has at least two blocks in every game this season, including a season-high five swats at Providence. Exanor has contributed at least one block in each of her first six games as a Hawk.

GOOD TO SEE YOU AGAIN
The Hawks are renewing a long-standing rivalry with Rider. It will be Monmouth's 55th meeting all-time with the Broncs. The Hawks and Rider met regularly between 2013-14 and 2021-22 as both were members of the MAAC. Monmouth holds a 30-24 edge in the series but will be looking for its first win in Lawrenceville since the 2015-16 campaign. 

GOING DEEP
Monmouth drained a season-best eight three-pointers against Brown last Sunday. Those efforts were led by Kaci Donovan, who knocked down four shots from behind the arc. Monmouth went 7-3 last season when it hit eight or more three-pointers in a single-game.

SEEING DOUBLE
A trio of Hawks scored in double figures against Brown. Kaci Donovan (15), Ariana Vanderhoop (12) and Jaye Haynes (10) all reached the mark, making it the third time this season that three or more Hawks hit the mark in the same game. Monmouth is 2-1 in those contests. Donovan has scored in double figures in four of six games this season while Vanderhoop has hit the mark in three straight and five of six. Haynes recorded double figures for the second time this season. 

500 AND COUNTING
When senior Jania Hall scored her 500th career point at Providence, she became the fourth member of this year's senior class to reach that mark. Ariana Vanderhoop (661), Kaci Donovan (605), Belle Kranbuhl (538) and Hall (504) have all played at least three full seasons for the Hawks and scored over 500 points in their Monmouth careers.

FABULOUS AND FORTY
Monmouth shot 41.5% from the field against Brown. It was the third time this season, the Hawks have shot 40% or better from the field and have a 2-1 mark in those contests. Monmouth's best field goal percentage in a game this year came against St. John's when the Hawks shot 50% on the nose. Last year the Hawks were 12-7 in games where they shot 40% or better from the field. 

I'LL TAKE THAT
Monmouth recorded seven steals against Brown. Belle Kranbuhl led the way with three steals while Jaye Haynes recorded two steals. It was the third time this season the Hawks have recorded five or more steals in a game. 

Taisha Exanor leads the Hawks with six steals this season. The Hawks had five or more steals in a game 24 times last season.  Monmouth was 3-1 last season when it recorded 10 or more steals in a contest.

SCOUTING THE BRONCS
Rider sits at 2-4 on the year and is coming off back-to-back losses to La Salle and FDU. Taylor Langan leads the Broncs as she is averaging 13.8 points and 7.2 rebounds per game. Makayla Firebaugh is adding 12 points and 2.7 rebounds per game.

UP NEXT
Monmouth remains on the road to visit American (Dec. 6) and Lafayette (Dec. 11). The Hawks will not return home till Dec. 22 when it hosts Loyola (Md.).