FINAL SCORE
No. 5 Monmouth (16-14) – 62
No. 13 Hampton (8-23) – 54
 
WASHINGTON – The Monmouth University Women's Basketball Team used a dominant fourth quarter to secure a 62-54 victory over Hampton on Thursday night in the Second Round of the 2025 CAA Championship tournament at CareFirst Arena, moving the Hawks into the quarterfinals for the third straight season.
 
Divine Dibula led Monmouth with 16 points and six rebounds, shooting 7-for-10 from the field while making key baskets in the second half. Belle Kranbuhl was a force in the paint, recording 12 points, five rebounds, and two blocks. Damaris Rodriguez added 13 points and five assists, guiding the offense with her steady playmaking.
 
Monmouth started strong, taking an 18-6 lead after the first quarter behind efficient shooting and tough defense. The Hawks forced seven turnovers in the opening period and held Hampton to just 13.6% shooting from the field. However, the Pirates responded in the second, outscoring Monmouth 25-11 to take a 31-29 halftime lead.
 
The third quarter was a defensive battle, with both teams trading baskets. Monmouth edged Hampton 12-11 in the frame to cut the deficit to one heading into the final period. From there, the Hawks took control, shooting an impressive 88.9% (8-for-9) from the field in the fourth while outscoring Hampton 21-12. Dibula and Rodriguez combined for 10 points in the quarter, while Kranbuhl sealed the win with late free throws.
 
Monmouth's defense was key, as the Hawks held Hampton to just 28.8% shooting for the game, including a 3-for-23 mark from three-point range. Monmouth also dominated the rebounding battle, grabbing 47 boards compared to Hampton's 43.
 
NOTES & QUOTES
"I am really happy with the way we fought back. We had a slow first half, but the team really dug in, and the defense showed up when it needed to.
 
I thought we had to work through a little bit of nerves in the first half, and it took us a while to fully settle in. When our defense locks in and gets stops, we can run in transition. But we have to get stops before we can push the ball." – Head Coach Cait Wetmore
 
"We knew they were a good, scrappy team that was going to push back and fight. We just stuck to the gameplan, pushed through, listened to and trusted our coaches, and did what we had to do." – Sophomore forward Divine Dibula on Hampton's ability to get back in the game after being down big early
 
- Monmouth improves to 5-1 all-time in CAA Championship games.
- Exanor recorded her 14^th game this season with double-digit rebounds.
- It was the fifth time this season the Hawks have held their opponent under 30% shooting from the floor.
- Alexis Stewart was a game-high +18 and tied her season high with eight points.
- 47 team rebounds is tied for second most by Monmouth this season and was the most in a game since Northeastern at home on Jan. 26.
- Exanor played a game-high 38:02 and tied her season best with three blocks.
- Monmouth leads the all-time series, 4-0.
 
NUMBERS CRUNCH
- The game featured two lead changes and three ties.
- The Hawks led for 27:34, while the Pirates led for 8:39.
- Monmouth made 42.1% of its field goals to Hampton's 28.8%.
- Monmouth won the rebounding battle, 47-43.
- Hampton outscored Monmouth, 17-3, off turnovers.
- Monmouth had more points in the paint, 38-30.
- The Hawks had more second chance points, 15-14.
- Hampton had more fastbreak points, 12-8.
- Each team scored 24 bench points.
 
UP NEXT
The Hawks play Drexel in the CAA Championship Quarterfinals on Friday, March 14. The game will be broadcast live on FloCollege at 2:30 p.m.