FINAL SCORE
Monmouth (12-10, 7-4 CAA) – 50
Drexel (11-9, 7-3 CAA) – 47
 
WEST LONG BRANCH, N.J. – The Monmouth University Women's Basketball Team went on a 9-0 run in the final 2:42 to secure a thrilling 50-47 victory over Drexel on Friday night at the OceanFirst Bank Center. With the win, the Hawks improve to 7-4 in CAA play and 8-3 on their home court.
 
Belle Kranbuhl led the way for Monmouth, delivering a standout performance with 15 points, eight rebounds, and five blocks, including a key defensive stop in the final minute. Taisha Exanor contributed her sixth double-double of the season, finishing with 13 points and 11 rebounds while adding three steals. Damaris Rodriguez added 13 points a crucial go-ahead jumper in the final minute.
 
Monmouth started strong, jumping out to an 11-6 lead after the first quarter and maintaining a 24-18 advantage at halftime. The Hawks' defense was smothering, holding Drexel to just 30.8% shooting from the field and forcing 13 turnovers.
 
Drexel fought back in the third quarter, outscoring Monmouth 19-13 behind a strong push from Amaris Baker, who led all scorers with 20 points. The Dragons briefly took the lead in the fourth quarter, but Monmouth responded with key defensive stops and clutch baskets down the stretch.
 
With under a minute to play, Rodriguez hit a contested jumper to put Monmouth ahead 48-47. Exanor then forced a critical steal, leading to a layup by Kranbuhl after a nice pass by Kemari Reynolds with eight seconds remaining. Monmouth forced a miss by Baker as time expired for the victory.
 
NOTES & QUOTES
"I'm really proud of this team win. I thought our defense really propelled us tonight. Drexel is a really good team, so I am really proud of the way our team locked in and executed the gameplan." – Head Coach Cait Wetmore

"They went on their little run, but we knew exactly what we had to do to stop it. We got ourselves together, stayed confident, and played team basketball. We got punched and we punched right back." – Damaris Rodriguez on Monmouth ending the game on a 9-0 run

"I think we took our communication up another level down the stretch. We talked about toughness and finishing the game tough, and that's what we needed to do to win." – Belle Kranbuhl
 
- Monmouth recorded 10 blocks – its highest total in a game this season.
- Three or more Hawks scored in double figures for the 11^th time in 2024-25.
- Drexel scored just six points in the first quarter – the second lowest allowed by the Hawks in the opening frame this year.
- Kranbuhl recorded her 14^th career game with five or more blocks.
-Rodriguez leads Monmouth with 17 games with at least 10 points. Exanor has 14.
- Monmouth improves to 7-4 in CAA contests and 8-3 at home.
- Drexel leads all-time series, 6-5.
 
NUMBERS CRUNCH
- The game featured eight lead changes and four ties.
- The Hawks led for 27:50, while the Dragons led for 7:20.
- Monmouth made 40.0% of its field goals to Drexel 30.8%.
- MU won the rebounding battle, 44-32.
- Drexel outscored Monmouth, 22-10, off turnovers.
- Monmouth had more points in the paint, 22-16.
- The Hawks had more second chance points, 16-9.
- Drexel had more fastbreak points, 9-4.
- Drexel had more bench points, 11-2.
 
UP NEXT
The Hawks have off on Sunday but will return to action on the road at Delaware on Friday, Feb. 14. The game will be broadcast live on FloCollege at 6:30 p.m.