FINAL SCORE
Monmouth 63 (6-4)
Loyola 50 (4-6)

WEST LONG BRANCH, N.J. – The Monmouth University women's basketball team outscored Loyola University (Md.) 19-6 in the third quarter to turn a one-point deficit into a 12-point advantage and claimed a 63-50 victory on Friday afternoon.
 
The Hawks stretched their current win streak to four straight victories.
 
The Hawks and Greyhounds traded baskets early in the first quarter before a lay-up from Lex Therien gave the Greyhounds a 14-9 edge with 3:17 left in the period. Jania Hall scored four of the final six points in the period, but Loyola led 18-15 after one.
 
Loyola scored five of the first nine points in the second period and led 22-19 with 8:01 left on the clock. The two sides traded points before a Kaci Donovan fast break lay-up at 5:02 tied the game at 26-26. Loyola tallied five of the final nine points in the stanza and took a 31-30 lead at the break.
 
The Hawks and Greyhounds traded baskets to start the third period and Loyola led 33-32 with 9:34 to go in the period. Belle Kranbuhl made a lay-up on the next play that jump started a 12-0 run that gave the Hawks a 44-33 lead with 4:01 left on the clock. Taisha Exanor had four points in that stretch. Five straight points from Jaye Haynes helped the Hawks take a 49-37 lead after three. 
 
Loyola opened the fourth quarter on an 8-2 run and cut the Monmouth lead to 51-45 with 6:41 left in the game. Monmouth responded with a 7-0 run of its own, including a big three-pointer from Donovan and pushed the lead back to 13, 58-45. The two teams battled down the stretch as Monmouth closed out the 63-50 win.

NOTES & QUOTES
"I am so proud of our focus to finish strong before the break. The squad really locked in on the defensive adjustments in the second half. There was a ton of energy from all 16 players today and I am so happy for our players to take a win home for the holidays."
    - Head coach Ginny Boggess

- Monmouth improved to 9-4 all-time against Loyola and snapped a three-game losing streak versus the Greyhounds.  
- The Hawks finished their three-game stretch against teams from the Patriot League with a perfect 3-0 mark.
- Monmouth picked up its sixth nonconference win of the year. It is the most nonconference wins under head coach Ginny Boggess. 
- Kaci Donovan scored a game-high 18 points for the Hawks. She has scored in double figures in back-to-back games and seven of 10 contests this season. 
- Jania Hall had 15 points and has now scored in double figures four times this season. 
- Belle Kranbuhl led the Hawks with 11 rebounds. It was her 15th career game in double figures for rebounding. 

NUMBERS CRUNCH
- Monmouth shot 44.9% from the field in the contest. The Hawks have shot 40% or better in three straight games and moved to 5-1 on the year when they shot 40% or better from the field. 
- The Hawks held Loyola to a field goal percentage of 33.9%, including 3-for-15 shooting in the third quarter.
- MU was 14-for-18 from the foul line in the contest. The Hawks move to 4-1 on the year when it makes at least 10 free throws in a game. 
- Monmouth blocked eight shots in the game, including four from Belle Kranbuhl. It was the fourth time this season, the Hawks have blocked at least eight shots in a game. 
- The Hawks won the rebounding battle, 37-31. It was the eighth time this season the Hawks have outrebounded an opponent. 
- In all six of the Hawks' wins this season they have scored at least 60 points. 
 
NEXT UP
Monmouth will be back in action on Monday, Jan. 1 when it closes out nonconference play by hosting Georgian Court at 2:00 p.m.