FINAL SCORE
Delaware (8-14, 5-7 CAA) – 70
Monmouth (12-11, 7-5 CAA) – 61
 
NEWARK, DEL. – The Monmouth University Women's Basketball Team put up a strong fight on the road, but Delaware used a late surge to secure a 70-61 victory on Friday night at the Bob Carpenter Center.
 
Taisha Exanor delivered another standout performance for Monmouth, recording a double-double with a career-high 22 points and 15 rebounds while adding two assists and two steals. Belle Kranbuhl provided a solid interior presence with nine points, four rebounds, and two blocks. Damaris Rodriguez contributed nine points and six assists while running the offense.
 
The game started as a back-and-forth battle, with Monmouth trailing 22-16 after the first quarter. The Hawks tightened up defensively in the second, limiting Delaware to just 13 points, but struggled offensively and went into halftime down 35-25.
 
Monmouth responded with a dominant third quarter, outscoring the Blue Hens 28-15 behind efficient shooting and strong defensive stops. Exanor took over in the paint, while Rodriguez and Kranbuhl helped fuel a 7-0 run to bring Monmouth within striking distance. The Hawks briefly took a lead late in the quarter, but Delaware answered with a run of their own.
 
The fourth quarter belonged to Delaware, as the Blue Hens outscored Monmouth 20-8 to close out the game as the Hawks look to rebound at home Sunday against Hampton.
 
NOTES & QUOTES
"Our defense didn't show up the way we needed it to. We had too many lapses, and Delaware took advantage." – Head Coach Cait Wetmore
 
- Exanor had a career best 22 points.
- Exanor pulled down 15 rebounds, the second time this season hitting 15+.
- Kemari Reynolds played a season high 30:49.
- Monmouth shot 66.7% (12-of-18) from the floor in the third quarter.
- The Hawks blocked four shots, raising their season total to 110.
- Monmouth falls to 7-5 in CAA contests and 4-8 on the road.
- Delaware leads all-time series, 8-1.
 
NUMBERS CRUNCH
- The game featured five lead changes and five ties.
- The Hawks led for 6:32, while the Blue Hens led for 30:24.
- Monmouth made 44.1% of its field goals to Drexel 30.8%.
- MU won the rebounding battle, 36-30.
- Monmouth outscored Delaware, 16-11, off turnovers.
- Monmouth had more points in the paint, 44-36.
- The Hawks had more second chance points, 10-6.
- MU had more fastbreak points, 10-7.
- MU had more bench points, 12-9.
 
UP NEXT
The Hawks return home to play Hampton as Monmouth celebrates National Girls and Women in Sports Day at the OceanFirst Bank Center on Sunday, Feb. 16. The game is free for all to attend and will be broadcast live on FloCollege, SNY and NBC Sports Philadelphia at 2 p.m.