FINAL SCORE
Monmouth (6-7, 1-1 CAA) – 75
Stony Brook (6-7, 1-1 CAA) – 61
 
WEST LONG BRANCH, N.J. – The Monmouth University Women's Basketball team showcased a dominant performance on their home court, securing a commanding 75-61 victory over Stony Brook on Sunday afternoon at the OceanFirst Bank Center.
 
Senior forward Taisha Exanor led the charge with her fourth double-double of the season, tallying 14 points and a season-high 16 rebounds. Divine Dibula also made her mark, notching the first double-double of her career with 14 points and 11 rebounds, while adding two assists and a steal.
 
It was a complete effort from the Hawks, who finished with a season-high 19 assists and held the visitors to just 38.2% shooting from the field. With the win, Head Coach Cait Wetmore collects her first career victory in the Coastal Athletic Association (CAA).
 
Monmouth set the tone early, exploding for 23 first-quarter points – marking their highest-scoring opening frame of the season – while limiting Stony Brook to just 12 points. The Hawks maintained control with an impressive 8-0 second-quarter run, responding to a Seawolves rally and holding them scoreless for nearly three minutes. Monmouth led 38-25 at the half.
 
The Hawks extended their advantage in the third quarter, with Rachel Kuhl drilling back-to-back three-pointers to push Monmouth's largest lead to 17 points. Guard Damaris Rodriguez also had a strong showing, contributing 16 points, four assists, and a key three-pointer in the final quarter to keep Stony Brook at bay.
 
NOTES & QUOTES
"Obviously Friday did not go the way we wanted it to, but we had some hard film sessions, and I am so proud of the way we bounced back and performed today.
 
"The assist-to-turnover ratio is a huge growth point for us. I thought we really showcased our chemistry and our depth. We have a lot of players that can come in and contribute. I think we are really starting to play well together."  – Head Coach Cait Wetmore
 
"We love sharing the ball. It shows off our great chemistry. We all love each other, we love playing for each other, and we love playing for our coaches. I think that really showed today." – Sophomore forward Divine Dibula
 
- Cait Wetmore earned her first career win in CAA play.
- The Hawks offense put up a season best 75 points.
- It's the second time this season Monmouth won a game by never trailing.
- Monmouth has finished with double-digit assists in eight straight games and set a new season high today with 19.
- Ella Farrelly was a game high +23.
- It's the sixth time three Hawks have finished with 10+ points.
- Exanor had a season high 16 rebounds and recorded her fourth double-double of the season.
- Monmouth added to its CAA lead with six more blocks to bring its season total to 62.
- Stony Brook still leads the all-time series, 5-4.
 
NUMBERS CRUNCH
- The Hawks led for 38:46 and never gave up the lead.
- Monmouth won the rebounding battle, 44-34.
- Stony Brook outscored MU, 7-6, off turnovers.
- Monmouth had more points in the paint, 38-32.
- The Hawks had more second chance points, 11-10.
- MU had more fastbreak points, 17-8.
- MU had more bench points, 28-6.
- Monmouth lost the turnover battle, 11-7.
 
UP NEXT
The Hawks play their first road conference game on Friday, Jan. 10 at Towson. The game will be broadcast live on FloCollege at 2 p.m.