FINAL SCORE
Monmouth 63 (11-11, 6-5 CAA)
Hofstra 59 (8-13, 2-8 CAA))

WEST LONG BRANCH, NJ – The Monmouth University women's basketball team staged a furious fourth quarter rally for a 63-59 win over Hofstra University on Friday night in Colonial Athletic Association (CAA) action. The Hawks have won three of their last four games with the victory.
 
Making her first start of the season, Lucy Thomas had a team-high 19 points and three steals for the Hawks. Ariana Vanderhoop finished with 15 points and a career-high 13 rebounds while Bri Tinsley scored 10 points, all of which came in the second half. Brandy Thomas led Hofstra with 22 points and 10 rebounds while Sorelle Ineza added 10 points. 
 
Hofstra quickly opened up a 7-2 advantage in the first quarter. Monmouth responded by scoring eight of the next 13 points and pulled to within two, 12-10 with 4:14 left in the period. Hofstra pushed its lead to 17-11 on a Brandy Thomas three at 3:10. Monmouth scored the final seven points of the period and took an 18-17 edge after one. Vanderhoop had four points in that stretch. 
 
The second period was fairly evenly matched as both teams scored 12 points and Monmouth held a 30-29 edge at the break. 
 
Hofstra scored the first seven points of the third quarter and quickly opened up a 36-30 lead. The Pride pushed its lead to eight, 40-32 with 5:11 to go in the period. That was the visitors' largest lead of the game. The two teams traded points over the close of that period as Hofstra took a 46-44 lead at the end of three.
 
Monmouth opened the fourth quarter on a 10-0 run and turned a two-point deficit into an eight-point lead, 54-46 with 6:30 to play. Lucy Thomas had five in that stretch. Hofstra cut the lead to two before the Hawks scored six straight for a 60-52 lead with 2:45 to go. Tinsley and Ella Farrelly had three points each in that stretch. Monmouth was a perfect 4-for-4 from the foul line in the final minute to close out the 63-59 win. 

NOTES & QUOTES
"Our crowd was incredible tonight! What a team effort, we needed the full 40. I'm really proud of our togetherness and everyone stepped up and made big plays down the stretch. It was so great to honor the '83 team and share today with our alums."
- Head Coach Ginny Boggess

- Monmouth welcomed back their alumni Friday night. The 1982-83 team got a special recognition pregame as it was the 40th anniversary of their NCAA Tournament appearance. 
- MU had an attendance of 1,039 on Friday night. It was the largest crowd for a home game since the home opener against Navy during the 2021-22 season. 
- The Hawks matched their season-high with 20 free throws made. 
- Monmouth improved to 7-3 at home on the year.
- The Hawks scored 18 points off of 19 Hofstra turnovers in the contest, including 10 in the fourth quarter.
- There were nine lead changes and three ties in the game. 

 NUMBERS CRUNCH
- Lucy Thomas scored in double figures for the fourth straight game and ninth time this season. 
- Thomas' 19 points gave her 211 for the season and 996 for her career.
- Ariana Vanderhoop had 15 points and a career-high 13 rebounds. It was her third double-double in the last five games. She has now scored in double figures in seven straight games and 11 times this season. 
- Bri Tinsley scored all 10 of her points in the second half. She has hit double figures in 12 times this season. 
- Ella Farrelly had a career-high in both points (7) and rebounds (8) in the contest.  

NEXT UP
Monmouth is back on the court on Sunday, Feb. 5 when it visits William & Mary for a 1 p.m. game.