FINAL SCORE
William & Mary (5-10, 2-2 CAA) – 83
Monmouth (7-8, 2-2 CAA) – 74
 
WEST LONG BRANCH, N.J. – Despite a standout performance from senior guard Damaris Rodriguez, the Monmouth University Women's Basketball team fell short in a tightly contested 83-74 matchup against William & Mary on Sunday at the OceanFirst Bank Center.
 
Rodriguez delivered a season-best performance, tying her season high with 27 points on an efficient 12-for-16 shooting including three makes from three-point range. She also matched her season high with seven assists, anchoring the Monmouth offense. Senior forward Taisha Exanor continued her strong season with her fifth double-double, contributing 14 points and 11 rebounds, while also tallying a block and a steal.
 
Rodriguez nailed a buzzer-beater three-pointer to close the first quarter and keep the Hawks within five points. They trailed 17-12 after the opening period but surged back in the second, fueled by a 7-0 run midway through the quarter to close the gap to 35-34 at halftime.
 
The Hawks briefly took the lead in the third quarter after Rodriguez hit a three-pointer during a seven-point run, but the Tribe responded with their own offensive push. The Tribe featured a balanced attack with four players scoring in double figures, led by career highs from Bella Nascimento (27 points) and Cassidy Geddes (26 points).
 
Despite trailing for most of the second half, Monmouth remained competitive, highlighted by a 5-0 run to begin the fourth quarter that put the Hawks ahead by one at 8:49. The Hawks' defense also made an impact, recording seven blocks, including two apiece from Divine Dibula and Ella Farrelly. However, William & Mary sealed the game late with timely three-pointers and strong free-throw shooting.
 
NOTES & QUOTES
"We were able to get going offensively in the second half, but our defensive lapses really hurt us. We hang our hats on defense, and we did not defend the way we needed to. We will learn from this and refocus for our road trip next week."  – Head Coach Cait Wetmore
 
- Monmouth falls to 2-2 in CAA games.
- Rodriguez registered her second game with 27 points this year. The first came vs. Saint Peter's on Nov. 26.
- Exanor leads the Hawks with five double-doubles on the season.
- It's the eighth time three Hawks have finished with 10+ points. Monmouth is 4-4 in games where they boast three double-digit scorers.
- Monmouth had seven blocks – the most in a CAA game by them this season.
- The Hawks pulled down just 32 rebounds – their fewest in a game since Nov. 15 at UMass.
- The Hawks allowed four double-digit scorers in a single game for the first time this season.
- William & Mary now leads the all-time series, 4-3.
 
NUMBERS CRUNCH
- The game featured six lead changes and three ties.
- William & Mary led for 36:57 to Monmouth's 1:59.
- Monmouth made 48.3% of its field goals to William & Mary's 47.7%.
- The Tribe won the rebounding battle, 33-32.
- The Tribe outscored MU, 17-11, off turnovers.
- Monmouth had more points in the paint, 38-36.
- W&M had more second chance points, 15-8.
- W&M had more fastbreak points, 23-11.
- The Tribe had more bench points, 18-13.
- Monmouth lost the turnover battle, 20-12.
 
UP NEXT
The Hawks make a road trip to the Carolinas where they take on Charleston on Friday, Jan. 17. The game will be broadcast live on FloSports at 7 p.m.