FINAL SCORE
Monmouth 75 (9-5, 2-1 CAA)
College of Charleston 62 (11-4, 3-1 CAA)

CHARLESTON, S.C. – The Monmouth University women's basketball team used a balanced scoring attack and a dominating defensive performance to register a 75-62 win at College of Charleston in Coastal Athletic Association (CAA) action on Sunday afternoon.
 
The Hawks won their second straight game while handing the Cougars their first CAA and home loss of the season.
 
With the game tied at 2-2 in the first, the Hawks used a 9-3 run to take an 11-5 lead with 1:39 left in the period. Kaci Donovan drained a three-pointer in that stretch for the Hawks. The Cougars scored on the next possession, but the Hawks led 11-7 at the end of one.
 
Monmouth opened the second quarter on an 11-5 run and took a 22-12 lead with 6:58 to go until the half. Ariana Vanderhoop had five points during that scoring spurt for the Hawks. College of Charleston cut the Hawks' advantage to six with 5:59 on the clock. Monmouth responded with a 5-0 run of its own and made it a 27-16 game with 3:16 to go until the break. Sandrine Clesca had a three-point play in that stretch. The two teams traded points as Monmouth took a 32-21 lead at the break. 
 
The Hawks scored 13 of the first 18 points in the third quarter and opened up a 45-26 lead with 5:21 remaining. Vanderhoop and Belle Kranbuhl each had four points in that stretch. Kranbuhl's bucket at 3:08 extended the Monmouth advantage to 51-29. Jania Hall connected on 1-of-2 from the free throw line at 1:54, which made it a 54-31 game and gave the Hawks their largest lead of the game. A late bucket from Donovan gave Monmouth a 56-36 lead at the end of three.
 
A five-point scoring spurt from the Hawks at 7:59 put the visiting team up 61-40. The Hawks and Cougars battled down the stretch as Monmouth closed out a 75-62 victory.
 
NOTES & QUOTES
"A great effort by our entire roster to bring energy on the road. This was an outstanding defensive game and I'm really thrilled with the focus and execution."
    - Head coach Ginny Boggess

- Monmouth improved to 2-1 all-time against the Cougars.  
- The Hawks had a balanced attack as three players scored in double figures and six total had eight or more points in the game. 
- Belle Kranbuhl's 18 rebounds are a career-high and the most by a Hawk since Alexa Middleton had 18 during the 2019-20 season. 
- Sandrine Clesca matched her career-high with seven assists in the contest. 
- Monmouth improves to 5-0 on the season when it scores 70 or more points in a game. 
- Ariana Vanderhoop led the Hawks with 15 points. It was her seventh time this season scoring in double figures.
- Sandrine Clesca contributed 12 points, it was her second time this season scoring in double figures.
- Jania Hall finished with 10 points and has scored in double figures in seven games this season. 
- Belle Kranbuhl matched her season-high with five blocks in the contest.

NUMBERS CRUNCH
- Monmouth finished the game shooting 43.3% from the field. The Hawks are 6-1 this season when they shoot 40% or better from the field. 
- The Hawks held College of Charleston to just 29.7% shooting from the field. 
- Monmouth hit six three-pointers to the Cougars' five. 
- The Hawks dominated the rebounding battle as they held a 50-37 advantage on the glass. Monmouth is 6-1 on the year when the Hawks grab 40 or more rebounds in a game. 
- Monmouth finished with six blocks in the game, the eighth time this season the Hawks have recorded six or more blocks in a game. 
- The Hawks held a 15-7 advantage in second chance points. 
- Monmouth's bench outscored the Cougars, 26-13. 
 
NEXT UP
Monmouth is back home to host Elon on Friday, Jan. 19 at 7 p.m. in the OceanFirst Bank Center.