FINAL SCORE (OVERTIME)
No. 4 Drexel (17-12) – 70
No. 5 Monmouth (16-15) – 67
 
WASHINGTON – Monmouth University put together a strong effort but fell just short in a 70-67 overtime loss to Drexel in the quarterfinals of the 2025 Coastal Athletic Association Women's Basketball Championship Tournament on Friday at CareFrist Arena.
 
Damaris Rodriguez led Monmouth with 17 points and two assists, while Belle Kranbuhl delivered a double-double, posting 13 points, 14 rebounds, and four blocks. Ella Farrelly contributed 13 points and nine rebounds, while Taisha Exanor filled the stat sheet with nine points, seven rebounds, three steals, and three assists.
 
Monmouth took control in the third quarter, using a 13-0 run to build an 11-point lead with 6:02 remaining in the period. The Hawks shot 60% from three in the frame and took a 46-43 advantage into the fourth. However, Drexel (17-12) fought back, outscoring Monmouth 16-13 in the final period. Rachel Kuhl nailed a game-tying three pointer with 4.4 seconds remaining in regulation to force overtime tied at 59 apiece.
 
The Hawks jumped out to a quick five-point lead in the extra frame behind a Rodriguez and-one layup and Kranbuhl bucket in the paint. Drexel chipped away at the deficit over the course of the period, eventually taking the lead with under a minute to go. Down three in the final seconds, Rodriguez hoisted a three that did not go as the final buzzer sounded, bringing Monmouth's season to a close.
 
NOTES & QUOTES
"I am really proud with the season we had, and I thought our girls really fought. Disappointed with the outcome. We had a few chances, but they didn't go our way.
 
Rachel came in and hit some big shots for us. [The game-tying three in regulation] is a shot we have seen her hit many times in practice, and she was able to do it on the biggest stage. I am really proud of her for knocking that one down." – Head Coach Cait Wetmore
 
"I think we fought really, really hard in this one, but we just needed to get a couple more stops." – Senior Taisha Exanor
 
- Monmouth's season ends with a 16-15 record.
- It marks the third straight season Monmouth has finished over .500.
- Monmouth falls to 5-2 all-time in CAA Championship games, with both losses coming to Drexel.
- The Hawks went 0-2 in overtime games this season.
- Kranbuhl pulled down a season-high 14 rebounds and was a +17.
- Kemari Reynolds played 41:36 – a season high.
- Farrelly recorded a career-high 13 points.
- Kuhl finishes her career with 147 made threes.
- Drexel leads the all-time series, 8-5.
 
NUMBERS CRUNCH
- The game featured seven lead changes and six ties.
- The Hawks led for 29:44, while the Dragons led for 9:50.
- Monmouth made 34.4% of its field goals to Drexel's 36.8%.
- Drexel won the rebounding battle, 48-45.
- Drexel outscored Monmouth, 20-11, off turnovers.
- Drexel had more points in the paint, 34-26.
- Drexel had more second chance points, 18-17.
- Each team had six fastbreak points.
- Drexel had more bench points, 15-11.