FINAL SCORE (OVERTIME)
Monmouth (8-9, 3-3 CAA) – 77
UNCW (9-9, 3-2 CAA) – 80
 
WILMINGTON, N.C. – Damaris Rodriguez tied a program record with 13 assists as the Monmouth University Women's Basketball Team fell to the UNCW Seahawks in overtime, 80-77, at Trask Coliseum on Sunday afternoon.

Rodriguez had just four helpers in the first half but got going with three during a Monmouth 9-0 run to start the second half, tying the game at 39. The New Jersey native, who also added 11 points, remained in control of the Hawks offense and was the key contributor that led to four Monmouth players scoring in double digits for the first time this season. Taisha Exanor led Monmouth with 19 points and nine rebounds, while Jaye Haynes (18 points – season high) and Belle Kranbuhl (15 points, eight rebounds) were options offensively from start to finish.

Monmouth flipped the script on UNCW in the second half, leading by as many as 11 with 5:02 remaining in regulation. The Seahawks responded with big buckets down the stretch, including a three-point play with 27 seconds left to tie the game at 72.

UNCW never trailed in the extra frame and added two late free throws to secure the victory. Junior Ella Farrelly's full-court heave fell just short as time expired.
 
NOTES & QUOTE
"A tough overtime loss on the road. We had some really bright moments, and there were some moments we really need to learn and grow from. And we will. We have a big game Friday; we will watch the film and get better from this." – Head Coach Cait Wetmore
 
- It was the first overtime game of the season for Monmouth.
- The Hawks scored a season-high 77 points.
- Monmouth's 46 points inside the paint are the most by the team this season.
- Twenty assists are a season high for MU.
- Ten steals are the most by MU in a CAA game this season.
- Damaris Rodriguez tied a single-game program record with 13 assists. The last player to do so was Rachel Goodale in 1997.
- Jaye Haynes tied a career high with four made threes.
- Monmouth falls to 3-3 in CAA contests.
- The all-time series is tied, 2-2.
 
NUMBERS CRUNCH
- The game featured 11 lead changes and seven ties.
- Monmouth made 47.8% of its field goals to UNCW's 46.4%.
- The Hawks won the rebounding battle, 38-37.
- UNCW outscored MU, 18-15, off turnovers.
- Monmouth had more points in the paint, 46-30.
- The Seahawks had more second chance points, 16-9.
- Monmouth had more fastbreak points, 20-9.
- UNCW had more bench points, 39-13.
- Monmouth lost the turnover battle, 17-16.
 
UP NEXT
The Hawks return home for Pride Night versus first-place North Carolina A&T on Friday, Jan. 24. The game will be broadcast live on FloCollege at 7 p.m.