FINAL SCORE
Monmouth (1-6) – 59
Saint Peter's (0-6) – 50
 
WEST LONG BRANCH, N.J. – Along with reaching the career 2,000-point mark, guard Damaris Rodriguez scored a game- and season-high 27 points in a 59-50 victory for the Monmouth University Women's Basketball Team over Saint Peter's at the OceanFirst Bank Center Tuesday evening.

The win is the first of the season and first of Head Coach Cait Wetmore's tenure in West Long Branch.

After a free throw early, Rodriguez scored her 2,000^th and 2,001^st points on a driving layup at the 5:41 mark in the first quarter. Forward Taisha Exanor hit a pair of threes in the quarter as part of an 8-0 run for the Hawks, though Saint Peter's held a one-point lead after 10 minutes, 18-17. A strong defensive second quarter from the Peacocks had SPU up six at the half, 33-27.

Wetmore and the Hawks came out aggressive in the third quarter, implementing a press that caused a pair of Saint Peter's turnovers early. Though both teams struggled to find offense early in the second half, Exanor – who had a double-double with 14 points and 11 rebounds – kicked off a 6-0 run with a layup that tied the contest at 33 at the 6:07 mark. Monmouth finished the quarter with eight straight points before the Peacocks hit a layup at the buzzer, bringing the score to 43-40, MU.

Rodriguez really started to heat up in the fourth, scoring 13 points in the frame including the final six for the Hawks offense down the stretch. Her 27 points is the second-most by any Coastal Athletic Association (CAA) player in a single game this season.
 
NOTES & QUOTES
"I am really proud of this team. It hasn't been easy, but the players bought in this whole time. Sometimes that can waver when you hit a hard road, but they just haven't given up. They maintained their great culture and chemistry, and I am really proud of them for sticking to that." – Head Coach Cait Wetmore on the win
 
"This has been an amazing experience so far. I thank Coach Cait every day for giving me an opportunity. I always knew what I was capable of, but I am so thankful to be here. Division doesn't matter, in my opinion. I just show up and work as hard as I can." – Damaris Rodriguez on the jump from D-III NJCU to Monmouth
 
- Wetmore collects her first career head coaching win.
- Rodriguez has eclipsed 2,000 points for her collegiate career.
- Exanor recorded her first double-double of the season.
- Belle Kranbuhl had three blocks.
- Monmouth leads the all-time series, 21-12.
 
NUMBERS CRUNCH
- The game featured four lead changes and five ties.
- Saint Peter's led for 19:57, while Monmouth led for 14:47.
- Rodriguez played all 40 minutes.
- The Hawks won the rebounding battle, 36-22.
- Monmouth had more points in the paint, 32-14.
- Monmouth had more second chance points, 9-8.
- The Peacocks had more bench points, 11-6.
- Monmouth lost the turnover battle, 20-13.
 
UP NEXT
The Hawks will play at home again when they host Lafayette on Sunday, Dec. 1. The game will be broadcast live on FloCollege and NBC Sports Philadelphia at 2:00 p.m.