FINAL SCORE
Drexel (16-9, 12-3 CAA) – 75
Monmouth (13-13, 8-7 CAA) – 65
 
PHILADELPHIA – Monmouth University put up a strong fight but fell short in a 75-65 road loss to Drexel on Friday night at the Daskalakis Athletic Center.
 
Damaris Rodriguez led Monmouth with a game-high 25 points, shooting 9-of-22 from the field while adding five rebounds and three steals. Taisha Exanor contributed 15 points and eight rebounds, including a perfect 7-for-7 performance from the free-throw line. Divine Dibula provided a spark off the bench with eight points, five rebounds, and three assists.
 
Drexel controlled the first half, limiting the Hawks to just 27.3% shooting from the field in the second quarter to carry a 40-25 lead into the half.
 
Monmouth battled back in the third quarter, using a quick 5-0 run early in the period to cut the deficit. The Hawks outscored Drexel 16-13 in the quarter, with Rodriguez and Exanor leading the charge. However, Drexel maintained control with efficient shooting and solid defense.
 
The Hawks showed resilience in the fourth, scoring 24 points—their highest total in any quarter—while forcing Drexel into tough shots. Monmouth got within single digits late, but the Dragons capitalized at the free-throw line to hold on for the win.
 
NOTES & QUOTES
"Our defense has to show up from the tip. It took us too long to get going defensively, but I thought we really battled in the second half. We will regroup and learn from this quickly before we head out to Stony Brook." – Head Coach Cait Wetmore
 
- The two teams split the season series at one win apiece.
- Monmouth has outrebounded its opponent 17 times this season and is 10-7 in such games.
- Nine steals are the second most in a CAA contest this season for MU.
- Seven Hawks assists are tied for the least in a conference game this season.
- Rodriguez now has five games with 20 or more points.
- Monmouth falls to 8-7 in CAA contests and 4-10 on the road.
- Drexel leads all-time series, 7-5.
 
NUMBERS CRUNCH
- The game featured one lead change and one tie.
- The Hawks led for only 25 seconds, while the Dragons led for 38:33.
- Monmouth made 33.3% of its field goals to Drexel's 48.2%.
- MU won the rebounding battle, 39-35.
- Monmouth outscored Drexel, 17-13, off turnovers.
- Monmouth had more points in the paint, 30-28.
- The Hawks had more second chance points, 16-9.
- MU had more fastbreak points, 8-7.
- Drexel had more bench points, 22-20.
 
UP NEXT
The Hawks play their final road game of the season at Stony Brook on Sunday, Mar. 2. The game will be broadcast live on FloCollege and SNY at 1 p.m.