FINAL SCORE
Hofstra (10-15, 5-9 CAA) – 57
Monmouth (13-12, 8-6 CAA) – 54
 
HEMPSTEAD, N.Y. – The Monmouth University Women's Basketball Team battled until the final buzzer but came up just short in a 57-54 road loss to Hofstra on Sunday afternoon at the David S. Mack Sports and Exhibition Complex.
 
Taisha Exanor led Monmouth with 15 points, five rebounds, and a steal, while Divine Dibula put together a strong all-around performance with 15 points and 10 rebounds. Damaris Rodriguez added 10 points and two assists, helping keep the Hawks in contention down the stretch.
 
The game was tightly contested from the start, with both teams locked at 11-11 after the first quarter. Hofstra found momentum in the second quarter, outscoring Monmouth 20-14 to take a 31-25 halftime lead. The Hawks responded after the break, using strong inside play to cut the deficit, holding Hofstra to just 16.7% shooting in the third quarter.
 
Monmouth trailed by just three heading into the fourth, where both teams traded big shots. The Hawks put together an 8-0 run in the closing moments to tie the game at 54 with just five seconds remaining. However, Hofstra's Emma Von Essen hit a corner three-pointer with two seconds left, and Monmouth's last-second attempt was blocked, sealing the game.
 
NOTES & QUOTES
"Hofstra played really hard today, and we did not come in as aggressive as we needed to." – Head Coach Cait Wetmore
 
- Hofstra sweeps the season series, 2-0.
- Exanor has scored in double figures in seven straight contests.
- Dibula has her four double-doubles on the season and three in her last five games.
- Kemari Reynolds reached the four-assist mark for the fourth time this season.
- Monmouth falls to 8-6 in CAA contests and 4-9 on the road.
- Monmouth leads all-time series, 10-7.
 
NUMBERS CRUNCH
- The game featured five lead changes and five ties.
- The Hawks led for 11:54, while the Pride led for 24:34.
- Monmouth made 40.4% of its field goals to Hofstra's 39.3%.
- MU won the rebounding battle, 37-31.
- Hofstra outscored Monmouth, 19-17, off turnovers.
- Monmouth had more points in the paint, 34-20.
- The Hawks had more second chance points, 13-11.
- MU had more fastbreak points, 5-2.
- MU had more bench points, 23-13.
 
UP NEXT
The Hawks continue the road stretch at second-place Drexel on Friday, Feb.28. The game will be broadcast live on FloCollege and NBC Sports Philadelphia at 6 p.m.