2022-23 Monmouth Women's Basketball Game Thirty Preview
No. 7 Monmouth Hawks (14-15, 9-9 CAA) vs. No. 10 College of Charleston Cougars (11-17, 6-12 CAA)
Thursday, March 9, 2023 - 5:00 p.m.
SECU Arena - Towson, MD
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FloSports
Matt Janus (Play-by-Play)
Monika Moore (Color)
Opening Tip
• Monmouth gets its first taste of CAA Tournament action when it faces No. 10 College of Charleston in the first round.
• The Hawks, who were picked to finish tied for 10th in the preseason poll, earned the seventh seed in their first year in the league.
• This will be just the second meeting all-time between the Hawks and Cougars. Charleston won the first meeting, 70-65 in mid-January.
• The Hawks enter the tournament having won two of their last three games, both wins came in the closing seconds.
• After leading the CAA in blocks this year, junior center
Belle Kranbuhl was named to the CAA All-Defensive squad.
• MU recorded the 598th win in program history on March 4 against Stony Brook.
• With an appearance in today's game,
Lucy Thomas would set the school record for career games played (126).
• MU hit 11 three-pointers in the win over Stony Brook. It was the third time in the last four games and fifth time this season they have knocked down 11 triples in a game.
• Monmouth shot 46% from the field against Stony Brook. The Hawks are 9-6 on the year when they shot 40% or better from the field in a game.
• MU enters today's contest leading the league in blocks per game (3.79). The Hawks have blocked five or more shots in a game nine times this season.
• Monmouth had 19 assists vs. Stony Brook, its eighth game with 15 or more assists since CAA play began.
• The winner of Thursday's game will advance to face No. 2 Drexel Friday at 5 p.m. in the quarterfinals.
LET'S GET DEFENSIVE
Monmouth junior center Belle Kranbuhl was named to the CAA All-Defensive Team on Tuesday afternoon.
She has 52 blocks on the year to lead the squad. It marked the second straight year that she has recorded over 50 blocks on the season. She blocked a shot in 19 straight games and has blocked a shot in 23 of 28 games this season. Kranbuhl had a season-high five blocks in a game twice. Earlier this year she became the seventh player in program history to reach 100 blocks for her career and she currently ranks fifth in program history with 148 career blocks.
Kranbuhl has ranked among the top 40 in the nation for blocks and blocks per game for most of the season.
TOURNAMENT HISTORY
Monmouth is in its first season in the CAA and making its first appearance in the CAA Tournament. The Hawks are looking for their first tournament win since the 2019-20 team won its first round game against Iona in the MAAC Tournament. The 2011-12 squad was the last to reach a conference tournament championship game.
IRON HAWK
Lucy Thomas has been a mainstay in the Monmouth rotation since her arrival on campus for the 2018-19 season. Thomas recently played her in 125th career game for the Hawks. That moved her into a tie with Gabby Singer (2009-13) for the school record for career games played. An appearance by Thomas in today's game would set the school record.
MISS ASSIST
The Hawks dished out 19 assists on 26 made baskets in the win over Stony Brook. Ariana Vanderhoop handed out a career-high six assists while Lovin Marsicano and Bri Tinsley each had three assists. The Hawks have had at least one player with four assists in 22 of 29 games this season.
The Hawks come into the tournament averaging 13.24 assists per game. Monmouth has handed out 15 or more assists in 12 games this season. The Hawks had a season-high 22 assists against Navy and handed out 21 assists versus Hofstra. Bri Tinsley leads the Hawks on the season as she is averaging 3.7 assists per game, that ranks sixth in the league. Tinsley has five or more assists in nine games this year.
WE'VE GOT DOUBLE VISION
Three Hawks scored in double figures in the win over Stony Brook. Lovin Marsicano and Lucy Thomas led the way with 14 points each while Kaci Donovan has added 11 points Marsicano has scored in double figures in three of the last four games and four times this season. Lucy Thomas has reached double figures in 11 games this season while Donovan scored in double figures for the second straight game and 11 times this season.
CLEANING THE GLASS
Monmouth won the rebounding battle, 38-33 on Saturday against Stony Brook. All ten Hawks who appeared in that game pulled down at least one rebound. Ariana Vanderhoop led the way with 10 rebounds while Lucy Thomas pulled down seven boards.
It was the 20th time this season the Hawks have won the rebounding battle. Monmouth is now 12-8 on the year when it wins the rebounding battle against its opponent. Monmouth comes into the CAA Tournament ranked third in the CAA with a +3.1 rebounding margin.
GOING DEEP
Monmouth knocked down 11 three-pointers against Stony Brook. Lovin Marsicano made four triples in the game while three other players knocked down two. Monmouth has now hit at least eight three-pointers in four straight games and 16 times this season. The Hawks have connected on a season-high 11 three-pointers in a game, five times this year (Navy, BYU, N.C. A&T, Hofstra, Stony Brook). Monmouth enters the tournament leading the CAA while averaging 7.6 three-pointers per game.
SCOUTING THE COUGARS
College of Charleston sits at 11-17 on the year and comes into the tournament having lost three straight. The Cougars suffered a 74-60 set back to Northeastern in their regular season finale. Jada Logan led the Cougars with 15 points and seven rebounds in that game. Logan leads the team on the season as she is averaging 17.7 points and 7.0 rebounds per game. Anika McGarity is adding 10.7 points per game.
UP NEXT
The winner of Thursday's game advances to face No. 2 Drexel on Friday, Mar. 10 at 5 p.m.
